Frost dates for 88002White Sands Missile Range, NM
The average last spring frost in White Sands Missile Range is April 27 and the average first fall frost is October 23, giving a typical growing season of about 178 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 27
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 23
- Growing season
- 178 days
Safer after May 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 182 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) | Apr 26 · May 7 · May 21 | Oct 3 · Oct 15 · Oct 27 | 159 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 13 · Apr 27 · May 9 | Oct 10 · Oct 23 · Nov 5 | 178 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 28 · Apr 13 · Apr 29 | Oct 16 · Nov 1 · Nov 13 | 199 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for White Sands Missile Range
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 | Mar 27 – Jun 2 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jul 3 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jul 13 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 27 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Aug 5 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jul 3 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 12 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 12 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Jun 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Sep 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – Jun 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 29 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 13 – Nov 13 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 88002 is matched to the NOAA station Jornada Exp Range, NM, 34.7 km away, at 4,318 ft elevation (13 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jornada Exp Range, NM (used) | 4,318 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 23 |
| State Univ, NM | 3,886 ft | Mar 12 | Nov 13 |
| Las Cruces 20 N, NM | 4,327 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 24 |
| Orogrande, NM | 4,221 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 7 |
Frost dates near White Sands Missile Range
- Organ, NM 88052 · last Apr 27, first Oct 23
- Las Cruces, NM 88011 · last Mar 12, first Nov 13
- Chaparral, NM 88081 · last Mar 24, first Nov 7
- Mesilla Park, NM 88047 · last Mar 12, first Nov 13
- Dona Ana, NM 88032 · last Mar 12, first Nov 13
- Mesquite, NM 88048 · last Mar 12, first Nov 13
- Mesilla, NM 88046 · last Mar 12, first Nov 13
- Vado, NM 88072 · last Feb 28, first Nov 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in White Sands Missile Range, NM?
- For ZIP code 88002, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 27, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Jornada Exp Range, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 9.
- When is the first frost in White Sands Missile Range, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 23. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 10, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 88002?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 178 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.