Frost dates for 87528Dulce, NM
The average last spring frost in Dulce is June 9 and the average first fall frost is September 22, giving a typical growing season of about 103 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Jun 9
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 22
- Growing season
- 103 days
Safer after Jun 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 225 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) | Jun 9 · Jun 24 · Jul 9 | Aug 28 · Sep 12 · Sep 24 | 78 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 25 · Jun 9 · Jun 27 | Sep 10 · Sep 22 · Oct 1 | 103 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | May 6 · May 23 · Jun 10 | Sep 20 · Sep 30 · Oct 12 | 130 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Dulce
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 9 – Jul 15 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 25 – Jun 2 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jul 9 – Aug 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 26 – Jun 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jul 9 – Aug 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jul 9 – Jun 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 25 – Aug 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jul 9 – Aug 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 25 – Jul 5 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 25 – Jun 2 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jul 9 – Aug 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jul 2 – Jul 25 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jul 9 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 26 – Jun 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 26 – Jun 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 23 – Jun 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 13 – Jun 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jul 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – Jun 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Aug 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 26 – Jun 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jun 9 – Jul 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 13 – Jun 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 12 – Oct 13 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 87528 is matched to the NOAA station Dulce, NM, 10 km away, at 6,793 ft elevation (779 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dulce, NM (used) | 6,793 ft | Jun 9 | Sep 22 |
| El Vado Dam, NM | 6,740 ft | Jun 13 | Sep 18 |
| Chama, NM | 7,850 ft | Jun 14 | Sep 18 |
| Tierra Amarilla 4 N, NM | 7,464 ft | Jun 11 | Sep 20 |
Frost dates near Dulce
- Chromo, CO 81128 · last Jun 9, first Sep 22
- Arboles, CO 81121 · last May 23, first Sep 29
- Chama, NM 87520 · last Jun 14, first Sep 18
- Pagosa Springs, CO 81147 · last May 31, first Sep 26
- Los Ojos, NM 87551 · last Jun 11, first Sep 20
- Tierra Amarilla, NM 87575 · last Jun 11, first Sep 20
- Navajo Dam, NM 87419 · last May 23, first Sep 29
- Ignacio, CO 81137 · last May 23, first Sep 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Dulce, NM?
- For ZIP code 87528, the average last spring frost (32°F) is June 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Dulce, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 27.
- When is the first frost in Dulce, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 10, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 87528?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 103 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.