Frost dates for 87539La Madera, NM
The average last spring frost in La Madera is June 13 and the average first fall frost is September 18, giving a typical growing season of about 94 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Jun 13
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 18
- Growing season
- 94 days
Safer after Jul 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 229 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) | — | — | 74 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 31 · Jun 13 · Jul 1 | Sep 5 · Sep 18 · Sep 29 | 94 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | May 12 · May 28 · Jun 15 | Sep 13 · Sep 26 · Oct 7 | 119 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for La Madera
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 13 – Jul 19 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 29 – May 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jul 13 – Aug 13 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 30 – Jun 28 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jul 13 – Aug 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jul 13 – Jun 8 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 29 – Aug 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jul 13 – Aug 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 29 – Jul 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 29 – May 29 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jul 13 – Aug 13 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jul 6 – Jul 29 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 13 – Jun 28 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | May 13 – Jul 13 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 28 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 30 – Jun 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 30 – Jun 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 19 – May 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jun 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 9 – Jun 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 13 – Jul 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 6 – Jun 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 13 – Jul 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Aug 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 30 – Jun 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jun 13 – Jul 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 9 – Jun 24 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 8 – Oct 9 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 87539 is matched to the NOAA station El Vado Dam, NM, 19.6 km away, at 6,740 ft elevation (425 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Vado Dam, NM (used) | 6,740 ft | Jun 13 | Sep 18 |
| Abiquiu Dam, NM | 6,380 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 16 |
| Brazos Lodge, NM | 8,005 ft | May 20 | Oct 4 |
| Tierra Amarilla 4 N, NM | 7,464 ft | Jun 11 | Sep 20 |
Frost dates near La Madera
- Cebolla, NM 87518 · last Jun 13, first Sep 18
- Canjilon, NM 87515 · last Jun 11, first Sep 20
- Gallina, NM 87017 · last Jun 19, first Sep 13
- Tierra Amarilla, NM 87575 · last Jun 11, first Sep 20
- Los Ojos, NM 87551 · last Jun 11, first Sep 20
- Youngsville, NM 87064 · last Apr 29, first Oct 16
- Canones, NM 87516 · last Apr 29, first Oct 16
- El Rito, NM 87530 · last May 15, first Oct 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in La Madera, NM?
- For ZIP code 87539, the average last spring frost (32°F) is June 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the El Vado Dam, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after July 1.
- When is the first frost in La Madera, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 18. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 5, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 87539?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 94 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.