Frost dates for 87747Springer, NM
The average last spring frost in Springer is April 30 and the average first fall frost is October 11, giving a typical growing season of about 164 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 30
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 11
- Growing season
- 164 days
Safer after May 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 185 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) | Apr 28 · May 9 · May 28 | Sep 21 · Oct 3 · Oct 13 | 145 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 17 · Apr 30 · May 12 | Sep 30 · Oct 11 · Oct 20 | 164 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 4 · Apr 18 · May 2 | Oct 8 · Oct 20 · Oct 31 | 182 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Springer
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 | Mar 30 – Jun 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 21 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jul 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 21 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jun 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Jun 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Sep 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 1 – Nov 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 87747 is matched to the NOAA station Springer, NM, 1.7 km away, at 5,888 ft elevation (37 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springer, NM (used) | 5,888 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 11 |
| Maxwell 3 Nw, NM | 6,017 ft | May 17 | Oct 1 |
| Cimarron 4 Sw, NM | 6,540 ft | May 11 | Oct 3 |
| Raton Muni Crews Ap, NM | 6,349 ft | May 11 | Oct 4 |
Frost dates near Springer
- Miami, NM 87729 · last Apr 30, first Oct 11
- Maxwell, NM 87728 · last May 17, first Oct 1
- Mills, NM 87730 · last Apr 30, first Oct 15
- Cimarron, NM 87714 · last Jun 16, first Sep 14
- Wagon Mound, NM 87752 · last May 18, first Oct 1
- Ute Park, NM 87749 · last Jun 16, first Sep 14
- Ocate, NM 87734 · last May 26, first Sep 26
- Gladstone, NM 88422 · last May 5, first Oct 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Springer, NM?
- For ZIP code 87747, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Springer, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 12.
- When is the first frost in Springer, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 11. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 30, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 87747?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 164 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.