Frost dates for 87931Caballo, NM
The average last spring frost in Caballo is March 25 and the average first fall frost is November 6, giving a typical growing season of about 224 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 25
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 6
- Growing season
- 224 days
Safer after Apr 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 24 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 10 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) | Mar 25 · Apr 14 · May 2 | Oct 16 · Oct 28 · Nov 11 | 197 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 5 · Mar 25 · Apr 17 | Oct 24 · Nov 6 · Nov 21 | 224 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 19 · Mar 7 · Mar 28 | Nov 1 · Nov 18 · Dec 1 | 253 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Caballo
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 | Feb 22 – Apr 30 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 10 – Jul 17 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 22 – Mar 25 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – Apr 9 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – Jul 27 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – May 25 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – Aug 19 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – Jul 17 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – May 10 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 9 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 24 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 11 – Feb 7 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Jul 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Aug 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Feb 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – May 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Sep 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Mar 31 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 12 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 27 – Nov 27 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 87931 is matched to the NOAA station Caballo Dam, NM, 12.2 km away, at 4,239 ft elevation (499 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caballo Dam, NM (used) | 4,239 ft | Mar 25 | Nov 6 |
| Hillsboro, NM | 5,267 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 23 |
| Truth Or Consequences, NM | 4,296 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 5 |
| Elephant Butte Dam, NM | 4,571 ft | Mar 13 | Nov 15 |
Frost dates near Caballo
- Arrey, NM 87930 · last Mar 25, first Nov 6
- Williamsburg, NM 87942 · last Mar 30, first Nov 5
- Hillsboro, NM 88042 · last Apr 23, first Oct 23
- Derry, NM 87933 · last Mar 25, first Nov 6
- Truth Or Consequences, NM 87901 · last Mar 30, first Nov 5
- Garfield, NM 87936 · last Mar 25, first Nov 6
- Elephant Butte, NM 87935 · last Mar 13, first Nov 15
- Salem, NM 87941 · last Mar 25, first Nov 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Caballo, NM?
- For ZIP code 87931, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 25, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Caballo Dam, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 17.
- When is the first frost in Caballo, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 6. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 24, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 87931?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 224 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.