Frost dates for 88001Las Cruces, NM
The average last spring frost in Las Cruces is March 12 and the average first fall frost is November 13, giving a typical growing season of about 241 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 12
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 13
- Growing season
- 241 days
Safer after Apr 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 30 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 17 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 12 · Apr 1 · Apr 19 | Oct 21 · Nov 4 · Nov 15 | 214 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 23 · Mar 12 · Apr 2 | Oct 30 · Nov 13 · Nov 24 | 241 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 4 · Feb 26 · Mar 15 | Nov 9 · Nov 24 · Dec 8 | 270 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Las Cruces
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 9 – Apr 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 28 – Jul 24 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 9 – Mar 12 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 26 – Mar 27 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – Aug 3 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – May 12 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – Aug 26 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – Jul 24 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – Apr 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 27 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Apr 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 29 – Jan 25 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Feb 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Jul 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Aug 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 12 – Feb 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Apr 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Sep 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Apr 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Oct 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 19 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 3 – Dec 4 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 88001 is matched to the NOAA station State Univ, NM, 1 km away, at 3,886 ft elevation (38 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Univ, NM (used) | 3,886 ft | Mar 12 | Nov 13 |
| Las Cruces 20 N, NM | 4,327 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 24 |
| Jornada Exp Range, NM | 4,318 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 23 |
| La Tuna 1 S, TX | 3,870 ft | Feb 28 | Nov 20 |
Frost dates near Las Cruces
- Las Cruces, NM 88003 · last Mar 12, first Nov 13
- Mesilla, NM 88046 · last Mar 12, first Nov 13
- Mesilla Park, NM 88047 · last Mar 12, first Nov 13
- Fairacres, NM 88033 · last Mar 12, first Nov 13
- Dona Ana, NM 88032 · last Mar 12, first Nov 13
- San Miguel, NM 88058 · last Mar 12, first Nov 13
- La Mesa, NM 88044 · last Mar 12, first Nov 13
- Mesquite, NM 88048 · last Mar 12, first Nov 13
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Las Cruces, NM?
- For ZIP code 88001, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the State Univ, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 2.
- When is the first frost in Las Cruces, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 13. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 30, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 88001?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 241 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.