Frost dates for 87529El Prado, NM
The average last spring frost in El Prado is May 19 and the average first fall frost is October 3, giving a typical growing season of about 136 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 19
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 3
- Growing season
- 136 days
Safer after May 31 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 204 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 20 · May 31 · Jun 11 | Sep 15 · Sep 26 · Oct 5 | 117 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 7 · May 19 · May 31 | Sep 23 · Oct 3 · Oct 14 | 136 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 23 · May 7 · May 20 | Sep 29 · Oct 10 · Oct 21 | 156 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for El Prado
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 18 – Jun 24 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 5 – Jun 3 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 18 – Jun 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 19 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 13 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 4 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 3 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 18 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 3 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jun 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jun 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jun 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 24 – Jun 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jul 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 5 – May 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 19 – Jul 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 24 – Jul 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 23 – Oct 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 87529 is matched to the NOAA station Taos, NM, 4.7 km away, at 6,965 ft elevation (36 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taos, NM (used) | 6,965 ft | May 19 | Oct 3 |
| Angel Fire 1S, NM | 8,500 ft | Jun 18 | Sep 8 |
| Eagle Nest, NM | 8,280 ft | Jun 16 | Sep 14 |
| Red River, NM | 8,667 ft | Jun 19 | Sep 7 |
Frost dates near El Prado
- Taos, NM 87571 · last May 19, first Oct 3
- Arroyo Seco, NM 87514 · last Jun 16, first Sep 14
- Ranchos De Taos, NM 87557 · last May 19, first Oct 3
- Valdez, NM 87580 · last Jun 19, first Sep 7
- Carson, NM 87517 · last May 19, first Oct 3
- Arroyo Hondo, NM 87513 · last May 19, first Oct 3
- San Cristobal, NM 87564 · last May 31, first Sep 26
- Taos Ski Valley, NM 87525 · last Jun 19, first Sep 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in El Prado, NM?
- For ZIP code 87529, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Taos, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 31.
- When is the first frost in El Prado, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 23, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 87529?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 136 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.