Frost dates for 87731Montezuma, NM
The average last spring frost in Montezuma is May 10 and the average first fall frost is October 7, giving a typical growing season of about 149 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 10
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 7
- Growing season
- 149 days
Safer after May 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 195 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 8 · May 22 · Jun 4 | Sep 16 · Sep 29 · Oct 9 | 127 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 28 · May 10 · May 23 | Sep 26 · Oct 7 · Oct 19 | 149 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 17 · May 1 · May 14 | Oct 3 · Oct 16 · Oct 28 | 167 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Montezuma
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 9 – Jun 15 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 17 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 26 – May 25 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jun 27 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 10 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 17 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 25 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 25 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Jun 9 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 25 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – May 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – May 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jun 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 28 – Jun 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Jun 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – May 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 10 – Jun 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 28 – Jul 13 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 27 – Oct 28 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 87731 is matched to the NOAA station Las Vegas Muni Ap, NM, 12.2 km away, at 6,874 ft elevation (152 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas Muni Ap, NM (used) | 6,874 ft | May 10 | Oct 7 |
| Las Vegas Wwtp, NM | 6,349 ft | May 24 | Sep 30 |
| Gascon, NM | 8,250 ft | May 28 | Sep 26 |
| Valmora, NM | 6,325 ft | May 18 | Oct 1 |
Frost dates near Montezuma
- Las Vegas, NM 87701 · last May 24, first Sep 30
- Rociada, NM 87742 · last May 10, first Oct 7
- Sapello, NM 87745 · last May 10, first Oct 7
- San Jose, NM 87565 · last May 15, first Oct 3
- Serafina, NM 87569 · last May 24, first Sep 30
- Buena Vista, NM 87712 · last May 10, first Oct 7
- Watrous, NM 87753 · last May 18, first Oct 1
- Mora, NM 87732 · last May 10, first Oct 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Montezuma, NM?
- For ZIP code 87731, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 10, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Las Vegas Muni Ap, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 23.
- When is the first frost in Montezuma, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 7. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 26, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 87731?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 149 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.