Frost dates for 87533Espanola, NM
The average last spring frost in Espanola is May 11 and the average first fall frost is October 6, giving a typical growing season of about 149 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 11
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 6
- Growing season
- 149 days
Safer after May 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 196 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 10 · May 25 · Jun 6 | Sep 16 · Sep 28 · Oct 9 | 126 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 28 · May 11 · May 26 | Sep 25 · Oct 6 · Oct 19 | 149 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 15 · Apr 30 · May 14 | Oct 2 · Oct 16 · Oct 30 | 168 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Espanola
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 10 – Jun 16 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 16 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 27 – May 26 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jun 26 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jul 11 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jul 19 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 16 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jun 26 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – Jun 10 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 26 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – May 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – May 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jun 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 27 – Jun 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – Jun 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – May 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 11 – Jun 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 27 – Jul 12 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 26 – Oct 27 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 87533 is matched to the NOAA station Espanola, NM, 1.5 km away, at 5,620 ft elevation (10 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Espanola, NM (used) | 5,620 ft | May 11 | Oct 6 |
| Alcalde, NM | 5,680 ft | May 10 | Oct 4 |
| Los Alamos, NM | 7,424 ft | May 2 | Oct 12 |
| Santa Fe Co Muni Ap, NM | 6,344 ft | May 4 | Oct 15 |
Frost dates near Espanola
- Espanola, NM 87532 · last May 11, first Oct 6
- Santa Cruz, NM 87567 · last May 11, first Oct 6
- Ohkay Owingeh, NM 87566 · last May 10, first Oct 4
- Chimayo, NM 87522 · last May 11, first Oct 6
- Alcalde, NM 87511 · last May 10, first Oct 4
- Hernandez, NM 87537 · last May 10, first Oct 4
- Cordova, NM 87523 · last May 2, first Oct 17
- Santa Fe, NM 87506 · last May 4, first Oct 15
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Espanola, NM?
- For ZIP code 87533, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Espanola, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 26.
- When is the first frost in Espanola, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 6. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 25, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 87533?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 149 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.