Frost dates for 87830Reserve, NM
The average last spring frost in Reserve is May 30 and the average first fall frost is October 3, giving a typical growing season of about 127 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 30
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 3
- Growing season
- 127 days
Safer after Jun 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 215 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 28 · Jun 10 · Jun 25 | Sep 11 · Sep 26 · Oct 5 | 107 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 14 · May 30 · Jun 12 | Sep 22 · Oct 3 · Oct 14 | 127 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 29 · May 13 · Jun 2 | Oct 1 · Oct 12 · Oct 25 | 150 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Reserve
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 29 – Jul 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 15 – Jun 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 29 – Jul 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 16 – Jun 14 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 29 – Jul 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 29 – Jun 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 29 – Jul 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jun 13 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 29 – Jul 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 22 – Jul 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – Jun 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – Jun 29 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 16 – Jun 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 16 – Jun 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jun 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 24 – Jun 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – Jul 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – Jun 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 16 – Jun 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 30 – Jul 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 24 – Jul 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 23 – Oct 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 87830 is matched to the NOAA station Reserve Rs, NM, 1.8 km away, at 5,847 ft elevation (76 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reserve Rs, NM (used) | 5,847 ft | May 30 | Oct 3 |
| Luna Rs, NM | 7,050 ft | Jun 17 | Sep 21 |
| Alpine, AZ | 8,050 ft | Jun 15 | Sep 21 |
| Glenwood, NM | 4,725 ft | May 6 | Oct 18 |
Frost dates near Reserve
- Luna, NM 87824 · last Jun 17, first Sep 21
- Aragon, NM 87820 · last Jun 17, first Sep 21
- Blue, AZ 85922 · last Jun 17, first Sep 21
- Alpine, AZ 85920 · last Jun 15, first Sep 21
- Glenwood, NM 88039 · last Jun 15, first Sep 21
- Nutrioso, AZ 85932 · last Jun 15, first Sep 21
- Quemado, NM 87829 · last Jun 1, first Sep 29
- Eagar, AZ 85925 · last Jun 1, first Sep 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Reserve, NM?
- For ZIP code 87830, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Reserve Rs, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 12.
- When is the first frost in Reserve, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 22, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 87830?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 127 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.