Frost dates for 87943Winston, NM
The average last spring frost in Winston is May 10 and the average first fall frost is October 8, giving a typical growing season of about 151 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 10
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 8
- Growing season
- 151 days
Safer after May 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 195 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 10 · May 23 · Jun 4 | Sep 18 · Oct 1 · Oct 10 | 130 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 27 · May 10 · May 22 | Sep 26 · Oct 8 · Oct 20 | 151 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 15 · Apr 30 · May 13 | Oct 5 · Oct 18 · Oct 30 | 170 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Winston
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 9 – Jun 15 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 26 – May 25 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jun 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 10 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 18 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 25 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 25 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Jun 9 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 25 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – May 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – May 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jun 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 29 – Jun 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Jun 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – May 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 10 – Jun 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 29 – Jul 14 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 28 – Oct 29 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 87943 is matched to the NOAA station Winston, NM, 5.1 km away, at 6,196 ft elevation (136 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winston, NM (used) | 6,196 ft | May 10 | Oct 8 |
| Truth Or Consequence Ap, NM | 4,850 ft | Mar 22 | Nov 9 |
| Hillsboro, NM | 5,267 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 23 |
| Truth Or Consequences, NM | 4,296 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 5 |
Frost dates near Winston
- Monticello, NM 87939 · last Mar 22, first Nov 9
- Truth Or Consequences, NM 87901 · last Mar 30, first Nov 5
- Williamsburg, NM 87942 · last Mar 30, first Nov 5
- Hillsboro, NM 88042 · last Apr 23, first Oct 23
- Elephant Butte, NM 87935 · last Mar 13, first Nov 15
- Caballo, NM 87931 · last Mar 25, first Nov 6
- Mimbres, NM 88049 · last Apr 4, first Nov 8
- Arrey, NM 87930 · last Mar 25, first Nov 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Winston, NM?
- For ZIP code 87943, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 10, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Winston, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 22.
- When is the first frost in Winston, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 8. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 26, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 87943?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 151 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.