Frost dates for 87505Santa Fe, NM
The average last spring frost in Santa Fe is May 2 and the average first fall frost is October 17, giving a typical growing season of about 167 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 2
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 17
- Growing season
- 167 days
Safer after May 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 187 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 29 · May 11 · May 26 | Sep 26 · Oct 8 · Oct 20 | 148 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 19 · May 2 · May 14 | Oct 4 · Oct 17 · Oct 28 | 167 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 6 · Apr 22 · May 6 | Oct 12 · Oct 27 · Nov 9 | 187 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Santa Fe
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 1 – Jun 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 27 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 7 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 30 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 27 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jun 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Sep 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – Jun 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 23 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 7 – Nov 7 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 87505 is matched to the NOAA station Santa Fe Seton, NM, 6.2 km away, at 7,000 ft elevation (808 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe Seton, NM (used) | 7,000 ft | May 2 | Oct 17 |
| Santa Fe 2, NM | 6,756 ft | May 14 | Oct 6 |
| Pecos Nm, NM | 6,878 ft | May 15 | Oct 3 |
| Santa Fe Co Muni Ap, NM | 6,344 ft | May 4 | Oct 15 |
Frost dates near Santa Fe
- Santa Fe, NM 87502 · last May 2, first Oct 17
- Glorieta, NM 87535 · last May 15, first Oct 3
- Pecos, NM 87552 · last May 15, first Oct 3
- Tesuque, NM 87574 · last May 2, first Oct 17
- Lamy, NM 87540 · last May 4, first Oct 15
- Rowe, NM 87562 · last May 15, first Oct 3
- Tererro, NM 87573 · last May 28, first Sep 26
- Cerrillos, NM 87010 · last May 4, first Oct 15
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Santa Fe, NM?
- For ZIP code 87505, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Santa Fe Seton, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 14.
- When is the first frost in Santa Fe, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 17. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 4, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 87505?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 167 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.