Frost dates for 87509Santa Fe, NM
The average last spring frost in Santa Fe is May 4 and the average first fall frost is October 15, giving a typical growing season of about 164 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 4
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 15
- Growing season
- 164 days
Safer after May 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 182 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 1 · May 14 · May 28 | Sep 25 · Oct 5 · Oct 17 | 145 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 22 · May 4 · May 17 | Oct 4 · Oct 15 · Oct 25 | 164 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 23 · May 7 | Oct 13 · Oct 24 · Nov 5 | 183 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 3 – Jun 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jun 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Sep 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 5 – Nov 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 87509 is matched to the NOAA station Santa Fe Co Muni Ap, NM, 14.4 km away, at 6,344 ft elevation (122 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe Co Muni Ap, NM (used) | 6,344 ft | May 4 | Oct 15 |
| Santa Fe Seton, NM | 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 |
Frost dates near Santa Fe
- Santa Fe, NM 87592 · last May 4, first Oct 15
- Lamy, NM 87540 · last May 4, first Oct 15
- Cerrillos, NM 87010 · last May 4, first Oct 15
- Glorieta, NM 87535 · last May 15, first Oct 3
- 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
- Pena Blanca, NM 87041 · last Apr 26, first Oct 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Santa Fe, NM?
- For ZIP code 87509, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Santa Fe Co Muni Ap, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 17.
- When is the first frost in Santa Fe, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 15. 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 87509?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 164 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.