Frost dates for 87728Maxwell, NM
The average last spring frost in Maxwell is May 17 and the average first fall frost is October 1, giving a typical growing season of about 135 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 17
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 1
- Growing season
- 135 days
Safer after May 31 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 202 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 17 · May 31 · Jun 13 | Sep 13 · Sep 24 · Oct 2 | 115 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 4 · May 17 · May 31 | Sep 20 · Oct 1 · Oct 11 | 135 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 23 · May 5 · May 18 | Sep 26 · Oct 8 · Oct 20 | 155 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Maxwell
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 16 – Jun 22 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 3 – Jun 1 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jun 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 17 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 16 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 1 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jun 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 22 – Jun 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jul 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 3 – May 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 17 – Jul 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 22 – Jul 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 21 – Oct 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 87728 is matched to the NOAA station Maxwell 3 Nw, NM, 3.6 km away, at 6,017 ft elevation (62 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maxwell 3 Nw, NM (used) | 6,017 ft | May 17 | Oct 1 |
| Springer, NM | 5,888 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 11 |
| Raton Muni Crews Ap, NM | 6,349 ft | May 11 | Oct 4 |
| Cimarron 4 Sw, NM | 6,540 ft | May 11 | Oct 3 |
Frost dates near Maxwell
- Springer, NM 87747 · last Apr 30, first Oct 11
- Miami, NM 87729 · last Apr 30, first Oct 11
- Raton, NM 87740 · last May 19, first Sep 29
- Cimarron, NM 87714 · last Jun 16, first Sep 14
- Ute Park, NM 87749 · last Jun 16, first Sep 14
- Mills, NM 87730 · last Apr 30, first Oct 15
- Capulin, NM 88414 · last May 17, first Oct 1
- Gladstone, NM 88422 · last May 5, first Oct 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Maxwell, NM?
- For ZIP code 87728, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 17, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Maxwell 3 Nw, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 31.
- When is the first frost in Maxwell, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 20, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 87728?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 135 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.