Frost dates for 87935Elephant Butte, NM
The average last spring frost in Elephant Butte is March 13 and the average first fall frost is November 15, giving a typical growing season of about 243 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 13
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 15
- Growing season
- 243 days
Safer after Apr 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 1 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 19 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 13 · Mar 30 · Apr 18 | Oct 22 · Nov 5 · Nov 17 | 218 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 26 · Mar 13 · Apr 2 | Nov 1 · Nov 15 · Nov 28 | 243 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 7 · Mar 1 · Mar 21 | Nov 11 · Nov 26 · Dec 11 | 269 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Elephant Butte
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 10 – Apr 18 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 29 – Jul 26 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 10 – Mar 13 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 28 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – Aug 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 29 – May 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 29 – Aug 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 29 – Jul 26 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – Apr 28 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 28 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Apr 12 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 30 – Jan 26 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Feb 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Jul 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Aug 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Feb 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Apr 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 22 – Sep 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Apr 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Oct 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 5 – Dec 6 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 87935 is matched to the NOAA station Elephant Butte Dam, NM, 7.8 km away, at 4,571 ft elevation (37 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elephant Butte Dam, NM (used) | 4,571 ft | Mar 13 | Nov 15 |
| Truth Or Consequence Ap, NM | 4,850 ft | Mar 22 | Nov 9 |
| Truth Or Consequences, NM | 4,296 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 5 |
| Caballo Dam, NM | 4,239 ft | Mar 25 | Nov 6 |
Frost dates near Elephant Butte
- Truth Or Consequences, NM 87901 · last Mar 30, first Nov 5
- Williamsburg, NM 87942 · last Mar 30, first Nov 5
- Monticello, NM 87939 · last Mar 22, first Nov 9
- Caballo, NM 87931 · last Mar 25, first Nov 6
- Spaceport City, NM 87654 · last Mar 13, first Nov 15
- Arrey, NM 87930 · last Mar 25, first Nov 6
- Winston, NM 87943 · last May 10, first Oct 8
- Derry, NM 87933 · last Mar 25, first Nov 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Elephant Butte, NM?
- For ZIP code 87935, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Elephant Butte Dam, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 2.
- When is the first frost in Elephant Butte, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 15. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 87935?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 243 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.