Frost dates for 87564San Cristobal, NM
The average last spring frost in San Cristobal is May 31 and the average first fall frost is September 26, giving a typical growing season of about 116 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 31
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 26
- Growing season
- 116 days
Safer after Jun 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 216 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 30 · Jun 11 · Jun 28 | Sep 4 · Sep 17 · Sep 27 | 96 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 17 · May 31 · Jun 13 | Sep 14 · Sep 26 · Oct 6 | 116 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | May 4 · May 18 · Jun 3 | Sep 20 · Oct 3 · Oct 14 | 138 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for San Cristobal
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 30 – Jul 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 16 – Jun 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 17 – Jun 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 30 – Jun 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 31 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jun 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 23 – Jul 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 17 – Jun 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 17 – Jun 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 27 – Jun 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Apr 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 17 – Jun 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jul 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 17 – Jun 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 31 – Jul 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 17 – Jul 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 16 – Oct 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 87564 is matched to the NOAA station Cerro, NM, 14.8 km away, at 7,650 ft elevation (139 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cerro, NM (used) | 7,650 ft | May 31 | Sep 26 |
| Red River, NM | 8,667 ft | Jun 19 | Sep 7 |
| Taos, NM | 6,965 ft | May 19 | Oct 3 |
| Tres Piedras, NM | 8,140 ft | May 31 | Sep 28 |
Frost dates near San Cristobal
- Arroyo Hondo, NM 87513 · last May 19, first Oct 3
- Valdez, NM 87580 · last Jun 19, first Sep 7
- Questa, NM 87556 · last May 31, first Sep 26
- Arroyo Seco, NM 87514 · last Jun 16, first Sep 14
- Cerro, NM 87519 · last May 31, first Sep 26
- Red River, NM 87558 · last Jun 19, first Sep 7
- Taos Ski Valley, NM 87525 · last Jun 19, first Sep 7
- El Prado, NM 87529 · last May 19, first Oct 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in San Cristobal, NM?
- For ZIP code 87564, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 31, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Cerro, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 13.
- When is the first frost in San Cristobal, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 26. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 87564?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 116 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.