Frost dates for 87581Vallecitos, NM
The average last spring frost in Vallecitos is June 11 and the average first fall frost is September 20, giving a typical growing season of about 98 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Jun 11
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 20
- Growing season
- 98 days
Safer after Jun 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 227 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) | — | — | 76 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 29 · Jun 11 · Jun 26 | Sep 8 · Sep 20 · Sep 29 | 98 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | May 11 · May 28 · Jun 11 | Sep 16 · Sep 28 · Oct 10 | 122 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Vallecitos
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 11 – Jul 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 27 – May 31 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jul 11 – Aug 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 28 – Jun 26 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jul 11 – Aug 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jul 11 – Jun 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 27 – Aug 11 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jul 11 – Aug 11 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 27 – Jul 3 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 27 – May 31 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jul 11 – Aug 11 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jul 4 – Jul 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 11 – Jun 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | May 11 – Jul 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 26 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 28 – Jun 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 28 – Jun 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 21 – May 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 11 – Jun 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 11 – Jul 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 11 – Jul 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Aug 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 28 – Jun 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jun 11 – Jul 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 11 – Jun 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 10 – Oct 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 87581 is matched to the NOAA station Tierra Amarilla 4 N, NM, 45 km away, at 7,464 ft elevation (213 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tierra Amarilla 4 N, NM (used) | 7,464 ft | Jun 11 | Sep 20 |
| Tres Piedras, NM | 8,140 ft | May 31 | Sep 28 |
| El Rito, NM | 6,870 ft | May 15 | Oct 7 |
| Brazos Lodge, NM | 8,005 ft | May 20 | Oct 4 |
Frost dates near Vallecitos
- Petaca, NM 87554 · last May 15, first Oct 7
- El Rito, NM 87530 · last May 15, first Oct 7
- Tres Piedras, NM 87577 · last May 31, first Sep 28
- Ojo Caliente, NM 87549 · last May 15, first Oct 7
- Canjilon, NM 87515 · last Jun 11, first Sep 20
- Carson, NM 87517 · last May 19, first Oct 3
- Cebolla, NM 87518 · last Jun 13, first Sep 18
- La Madera, NM 87539 · last Jun 13, first Sep 18
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Vallecitos, NM?
- For ZIP code 87581, the average last spring frost (32°F) is June 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Tierra Amarilla 4 N, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 26.
- When is the first frost in Vallecitos, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 20. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 8, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 87581?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 98 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.