Frost dates for 88023Bayard, NM
The average last spring frost in Bayard is April 4 and the average first fall frost is November 8, giving a typical growing season of about 216 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 4
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 8
- Growing season
- 216 days
Safer after Apr 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 23 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 12 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 4 · Apr 20 · May 5 | Oct 15 · Oct 28 · Nov 11 | 189 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 14 · Apr 4 · Apr 22 | Oct 23 · Nov 8 · Nov 24 | 216 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 21 · Mar 12 · Apr 6 | Nov 2 · Nov 19 · Dec 5 | 247 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Bayard
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 4 – May 10 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 20 – Jul 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – Apr 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jul 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Jun 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Aug 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Jul 19 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – May 20 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – May 4 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Feb 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Jul 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Aug 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Aug 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – May 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Sep 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 14 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 29 – Nov 29 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 88023 is matched to the NOAA station Ft Bayard, NM, 4.1 km away, at 6,099 ft elevation (272 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ft Bayard, NM (used) | 6,099 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 8 |
| Faywood, NM | 5,251 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 31 |
| White Signal, NM | 5,991 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 26 |
| Cliff 11 Se, NM | 4,773 ft | May 9 | Oct 15 |
Frost dates near Bayard
- Santa Clara, NM 88026 · last Apr 4, first Nov 8
- Silver City, NM 88062 · last Apr 4, first Nov 8
- Arenas Valley, NM 88022 · last Apr 4, first Nov 8
- Fort Bayard, NM 88036 · last Apr 4, first Nov 8
- Hurley, NM 88043 · last Apr 21, first Oct 31
- Pinos Altos, NM 88053 · last Apr 4, first Nov 8
- Tyrone, NM 88065 · last Apr 23, first Oct 26
- Hanover, NM 88041 · last Apr 4, first Nov 8
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Bayard, NM?
- For ZIP code 88023, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ft Bayard, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 22.
- When is the first frost in Bayard, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 8. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 23, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 88023?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 216 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.