Frost dates for 87508Santa Fe, NM
The average last spring frost in Santa Fe is May 14 and the average first fall frost is October 6, giving a typical growing season of about 144 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 14
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 6
- Growing season
- 144 days
Safer after May 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 209 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) | May 13 · May 26 · Jun 9 | Sep 16 · Sep 29 · Oct 10 | 124 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 30 · May 14 · May 28 | Sep 25 · Oct 6 · Oct 18 | 144 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 18 · May 3 · May 17 | Oct 3 · Oct 16 · Oct 28 | 166 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 13 – Jun 19 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 16 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 13 – May 14 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 13 – Jul 14 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 30 – May 29 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 13 – Jul 14 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 13 – Jun 26 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jul 14 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 13 – Jul 14 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jul 19 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 16 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 13 – Jul 14 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jun 29 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 29 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – Jun 13 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 29 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – May 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – May 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jun 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 27 – Jun 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – Jun 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – Jun 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – May 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 14 – Jun 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 27 – Jul 12 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 26 – Oct 27 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 87508 is matched to the NOAA station Santa Fe 2, NM, 10.5 km away, at 6,756 ft elevation (16 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe 2, NM (used) | 6,756 ft | May 14 | Oct 6 |
| Santa Fe Seton, NM | 7,000 ft | May 2 | Oct 17 |
| Santa Fe Co Muni Ap, NM | 6,344 ft | May 4 | Oct 15 |
| Pecos Nm, NM | 6,878 ft | May 15 | Oct 3 |
Frost dates near Santa Fe
- Santa Fe, NM 87509 · last May 4, first Oct 15
- Lamy, NM 87540 · last May 4, first Oct 15
- Glorieta, NM 87535 · last May 15, first Oct 3
- Cerrillos, NM 87010 · last May 4, first Oct 15
- Rowe, NM 87562 · last May 15, first Oct 3
- Pecos, NM 87552 · last May 15, first Oct 3
- Tesuque, NM 87574 · last May 2, first Oct 17
- Tererro, NM 87573 · last May 28, first Sep 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Santa Fe, NM?
- For ZIP code 87508, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 14, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Santa Fe 2, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 28.
- When is the first frost in Santa Fe, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 6. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 25, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 87508?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 144 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.