Frost dates for 87530El Rito, NM
The average last spring frost in El Rito is May 15 and the average first fall frost is October 7, giving a typical growing season of about 143 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 15
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 7
- Growing season
- 143 days
Safer after Jun 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 200 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 31 · Jun 16 | Sep 16 · Sep 29 · Oct 10 | 119 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 30 · May 15 · Jun 4 | Sep 23 · Oct 7 · Oct 18 | 143 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 18 · May 2 · May 20 | Oct 2 · Oct 15 · Oct 30 | 165 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for El Rito
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 14 – Jun 20 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jun 17 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 1 – May 30 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jun 27 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jun 17 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jun 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 30 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – Jun 14 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 30 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 1 – May 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 1 – May 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jun 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 28 – Jun 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – Jun 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – Jun 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – May 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 15 – Jun 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 28 – Jul 13 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 27 – Oct 28 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 87530 is matched to the NOAA station El Rito, NM, 3.5 km away, at 6,870 ft elevation (272 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Rito, NM (used) | 6,870 ft | May 15 | Oct 7 |
| Abiquiu Dam, NM | 6,380 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 16 |
| Alcalde, NM | 5,680 ft | May 10 | Oct 4 |
| Tres Piedras, NM | 8,140 ft | May 31 | Sep 28 |
Frost dates near El Rito
- Vallecitos, NM 87581 · last Jun 11, first Sep 20
- Ojo Caliente, NM 87549 · last May 15, first Oct 7
- Abiquiu, NM 87510 · last Apr 29, first Oct 16
- Medanales, NM 87548 · last May 10, first Oct 4
- Canjilon, NM 87515 · last Jun 11, first Sep 20
- Petaca, NM 87554 · last May 15, first Oct 7
- Canones, NM 87516 · last Apr 29, first Oct 16
- Velarde, NM 87582 · last May 10, first Oct 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in El Rito, NM?
- For ZIP code 87530, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the El Rito, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 4.
- When is the first frost in El Rito, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 7. 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 87530?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 143 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.