Frost dates for 87520Chama, NM
The average last spring frost in Chama is June 14 and the average first fall frost is September 18, giving a typical growing season of about 93 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Jun 14
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 18
- Growing season
- 93 days
Safer after Jun 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 223 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) | — | — | 70 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jun 1 · Jun 14 · Jun 30 | Sep 7 · Sep 18 · Sep 29 | 93 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | May 16 · Jun 1 · Jun 17 | Sep 14 · Sep 26 · Oct 8 | 117 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Chama
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 | May 14 – Jul 20 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 30 – May 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jul 14 – Aug 14 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 31 – Jun 29 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jul 14 – Aug 14 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jul 14 – Jun 8 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 30 – Aug 14 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jul 14 – Aug 14 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 30 – Jul 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 30 – May 29 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jul 14 – Aug 14 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jul 7 – Jul 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 14 – Jun 29 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | May 14 – Jul 14 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Apr 29 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 31 – Jun 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 26 – May 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 31 – Jun 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 19 – May 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jun 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 9 – Jun 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 14 – Jul 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 7 – Jun 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 14 – Jul 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Aug 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 31 – Jun 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jun 14 – Jul 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 9 – Jun 24 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 8 – Oct 9 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 87520 is matched to the NOAA station Chama, NM, 2.4 km away, at 7,850 ft elevation (6 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chama, NM (used) | 7,850 ft | Jun 14 | Sep 18 |
| Tierra Amarilla 4 N, NM | 7,464 ft | Jun 11 | Sep 20 |
| Brazos Lodge, NM | 8,005 ft | May 20 | Oct 4 |
| El Vado Dam, NM | 6,740 ft | Jun 13 | Sep 18 |
Frost dates near Chama
- Los Ojos, NM 87551 · last Jun 11, first Sep 20
- Tierra Amarilla, NM 87575 · last Jun 11, first Sep 20
- Chromo, CO 81128 · last Jun 9, first Sep 22
- Dulce, NM 87528 · last Jun 9, first Sep 22
- Cebolla, NM 87518 · last Jun 13, first Sep 18
- La Madera, NM 87539 · last Jun 13, first Sep 18
- Canjilon, NM 87515 · last Jun 11, first Sep 20
- Antonito, CO 81120 · last May 28, first Sep 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Chama, NM?
- For ZIP code 87520, the average last spring frost (32°F) is June 14, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Chama, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 30.
- When is the first frost in Chama, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 18. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 7, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 87520?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 93 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.