Frost dates for 87461Sanostee, NM
The average last spring frost in Sanostee is May 3 and the average first fall frost is October 17, giving a typical growing season of about 163 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 3
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 17
- Growing season
- 163 days
Safer after May 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 188 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 30 · May 16 · Jun 6 | Sep 24 · Oct 8 · Oct 20 | 144 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 21 · May 3 · May 22 | Oct 2 · Oct 17 · Oct 30 | 163 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 23 · May 9 | Oct 11 · Oct 27 · Nov 12 | 183 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Sanostee
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Apr 2 – Jun 8 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 27 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 7 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 30 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 27 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 18 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 2 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jun 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Sep 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 23 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 7 – Nov 7 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 87461 is matched to the NOAA station Lukachukai, AZ, 31.6 km away, at 6,520 ft elevation (516 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lukachukai, AZ (used) | 6,520 ft | May 3 | Oct 17 |
| Fruitland, NM | 5,130 ft | May 12 | Oct 4 |
| Farmington Ag Sci Cnt, NM | 5,625 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 15 |
| Teec Nos Pos, AZ | 5,290 ft | Apr 11 | Nov 1 |
Frost dates near Sanostee
- Newcomb, NM 87455 · last Apr 29, first Oct 15
- Shiprock, NM 87420 · last May 12, first Oct 4
- Lukachukai, AZ 86507 · last May 3, first Oct 17
- Tsaile, AZ 86556 · last May 3, first Oct 17
- Sheep Springs, NM 87364 · last Apr 29, first Oct 15
- Waterflow, NM 87421 · last May 12, first Oct 4
- Fruitland, NM 87416 · last May 12, first Oct 4
- Tohatchi, NM 87325 · last May 28, first Sep 27
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Sanostee, NM?
- For ZIP code 87461, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lukachukai, AZ weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 22.
- When is the first frost in Sanostee, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 17. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 2, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 87461?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 163 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.