Frost dates for 87578Truchas, NM
The average last spring frost in Truchas is May 28 and the average first fall frost is September 26, giving a typical growing season of about 119 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 28
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 26
- Growing season
- 119 days
Safer after Jun 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 213 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 28 · Jun 8 · Jun 23 | Sep 3 · Sep 16 · Sep 29 | 97 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 13 · May 28 · Jun 10 | Sep 12 · Sep 26 · Oct 7 | 119 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 29 · May 14 · May 30 | Sep 22 · Oct 5 · Oct 17 | 143 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Truchas
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 27 – Jul 3 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 13 – Jun 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 27 – Jul 28 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 14 – Jun 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 27 – Jul 28 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 27 – Jun 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 13 – Jul 28 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 27 – Jul 28 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 13 – Jul 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 13 – Jun 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 27 – Jul 28 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 20 – Jul 13 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – Jun 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – Jun 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 12 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 14 – Jun 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 14 – Jun 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 27 – Jun 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 17 – Jun 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – Jul 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – Jun 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – Jun 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 14 – Jun 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 28 – Jul 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 17 – Jul 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 16 – Oct 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 87578 is matched to the NOAA station Gascon, NM, 37 km away, at 8,250 ft elevation (212 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gascon, NM (used) | 8,250 ft | May 28 | Sep 26 |
| Alcalde, NM | 5,680 ft | May 10 | Oct 4 |
| Espanola, NM | 5,620 ft | May 11 | Oct 6 |
| Taos, NM | 6,965 ft | May 19 | Oct 3 |
Frost dates near Truchas
- Cordova, NM 87523 · last May 2, first Oct 17
- Trampas, NM 87576 · last May 2, first Oct 12
- Chamisal, NM 87521 · last May 28, first Sep 26
- Chimayo, NM 87522 · last May 11, first Oct 6
- Dixon, NM 87527 · last Apr 29, first Oct 16
- Llano, NM 87543 · last May 28, first Sep 26
- Penasco, NM 87553 · last May 26, first Sep 26
- Velarde, NM 87582 · last May 10, first Oct 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Truchas, NM?
- For ZIP code 87578, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Gascon, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 10.
- When is the first frost in Truchas, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 26. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 12, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 87578?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 119 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.