Frost dates for 87825Magdalena, NM
The average last spring frost in Magdalena is May 19 and the average first fall frost is October 4, giving a typical growing season of about 137 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 19
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 4
- Growing season
- 137 days
Safer after Jun 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 204 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 14 | Sep 14 · Sep 27 · Oct 7 | 118 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 5 · May 19 · Jun 6 | Sep 23 · Oct 4 · Oct 15 | 137 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 25 · May 8 · May 25 | Oct 1 · Oct 13 · Oct 24 | 158 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Magdalena
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 18 – Jun 24 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 5 – Jun 3 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 18 – Jun 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 19 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 14 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 4 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 3 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 18 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 3 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jun 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jun 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jun 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 25 – Jun 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jul 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 5 – May 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 19 – Jul 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 25 – Jul 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 24 – Oct 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 87825 is matched to the NOAA station Augustine 2E, NM, 35.2 km away, at 7,000 ft elevation (373 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Augustine 2E, NM (used) | 7,000 ft | May 19 | Oct 4 |
| Socorro, NM | 4,593 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 25 |
| Socorro 20 N, NM | 4,847 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 27 |
| Bosque Del Apache, NM | 4,512 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 16 |
Frost dates near Magdalena
- Lemitar, NM 87823 · last Apr 16, first Oct 25
- Polvadera, NM 87828 · last Apr 16, first Oct 25
- Socorro, NM 87801 · last Apr 16, first Oct 25
- San Acacia, NM 87831 · last Apr 16, first Oct 25
- La Joya, NM 87028 · last Apr 29, first Oct 14
- San Antonio, NM 87832 · last Apr 28, first Oct 16
- Bosque, NM 87006 · last Apr 29, first Oct 14
- Veguita, NM 87062 · last Apr 29, first Oct 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Magdalena, NM?
- For ZIP code 87825, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Augustine 2E, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 6.
- When is the first frost in Magdalena, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 23, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 87825?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 137 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.