Frost dates for 88028Cliff, NM
The average last spring frost in Cliff is May 9 and the average first fall frost is October 15, giving a typical growing season of about 157 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 9
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 15
- Growing season
- 157 days
Safer after May 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 194 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 7 · May 23 · Jun 7 | Sep 25 · Oct 6 · Oct 17 | 135 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 28 · May 9 · May 24 | Oct 3 · Oct 15 · Oct 27 | 157 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 12 · Apr 28 · May 11 | Oct 9 · Oct 25 · Nov 4 | 177 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Cliff
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 8 – Jun 14 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 24 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Jun 8 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jun 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Jun 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Sep 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 5 – Nov 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 88028 is matched to the NOAA station Cliff 11 Se, NM, 17.4 km away, at 4,773 ft elevation (275 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cliff 11 Se, NM (used) | 4,773 ft | May 9 | Oct 15 |
| Redrock 1 Nne, NM | 4,056 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 23 |
| Gila Hot Springs, NM | 5,636 ft | May 26 | Oct 5 |
| Ft Bayard, NM | 6,099 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 8 |
Frost dates near Cliff
- Gila, NM 88038 · last May 9, first Oct 15
- Buckhorn, NM 88025 · last May 9, first Oct 15
- Mule Creek, NM 88051 · last May 26, first Oct 5
- Redrock, NM 88055 · last Apr 30, first Oct 23
- Silver City, NM 88061 · last Apr 4, first Nov 8
- Pinos Altos, NM 88053 · last Apr 4, first Nov 8
- Tyrone, NM 88065 · last Apr 23, first Oct 26
- Glenwood, NM 88039 · last Jun 15, first Sep 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Cliff, NM?
- For ZIP code 88028, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Cliff 11 Se, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 24.
- When is the first frost in Cliff, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 15. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 3, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 88028?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 157 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.