Frost dates for 87511Alcalde, NM
The average last spring frost in Alcalde is May 10 and the average first fall frost is October 4, giving a typical growing season of about 145 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 10
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 4
- Growing season
- 145 days
Safer after May 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 195 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 27 · Jun 11 | Sep 15 · Sep 26 · Oct 5 | 120 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 30 · May 10 · May 24 | Sep 24 · Oct 4 · Oct 15 | 145 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 14 · Apr 28 · May 11 | Oct 2 · Oct 15 · Oct 27 | 168 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Alcalde
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 9 – Jun 15 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 26 – May 25 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jun 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 10 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 14 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 25 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 25 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Jun 9 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 25 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – May 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – May 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jun 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 25 – Jun 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Jun 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – May 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 10 – Jun 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 25 – Jul 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 24 – Oct 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 87511 is matched to the NOAA station Alcalde, NM, 0.3 km away, at 5,680 ft elevation (29 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alcalde, NM (used) | 5,680 ft | May 10 | Oct 4 |
| Espanola, NM | 5,620 ft | May 11 | Oct 6 |
| El Rito, NM | 6,870 ft | May 15 | Oct 7 |
| Los Alamos, NM | 7,424 ft | May 2 | Oct 12 |
Frost dates near Alcalde
- Ohkay Owingeh, NM 87566 · last May 10, first Oct 4
- Hernandez, NM 87537 · last May 10, first Oct 4
- Velarde, NM 87582 · last May 10, first Oct 4
- Espanola, NM 87533 · last May 11, first Oct 6
- Santa Cruz, NM 87567 · last May 11, first Oct 6
- Chimayo, NM 87522 · last May 11, first Oct 6
- Medanales, NM 87548 · last May 10, first Oct 4
- Cordova, NM 87523 · last May 2, first Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Alcalde, NM?
- For ZIP code 87511, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 10, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Alcalde, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 24.
- When is the first frost in Alcalde, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 24, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 87511?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 145 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.