Frost dates for 88029Columbus, NM
The average last spring frost in Columbus is March 18 and the average first fall frost is November 11, giving a typical growing season of about 237 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 18
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 11
- Growing season
- 237 days
Safer after Apr 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 29 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 15 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 17 · Apr 4 · Apr 21 | Oct 21 · Nov 3 · Nov 16 | 212 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 28 · Mar 18 · Apr 6 | Oct 29 · Nov 11 · Nov 24 | 237 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 4 · Feb 28 · Mar 20 | Nov 5 · Nov 21 · Dec 5 | 266 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Columbus
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 15 – Apr 23 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 3 – Jul 22 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 15 – Mar 18 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – Apr 2 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Aug 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – May 18 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – Aug 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – Jul 22 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – May 3 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Apr 2 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Apr 17 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 4 – Jan 31 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Mar 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Jul 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Aug 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Feb 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – May 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Sep 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Apr 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Oct 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Mar 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 1 – Dec 2 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 88029 is matched to the NOAA station Columbus, NM, 0.3 km away, at 4,065 ft elevation (7 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus, NM (used) | 4,065 ft | Mar 18 | Nov 11 |
| Deming, NM | 4,300 ft | Apr 7 | Nov 3 |
| Deming Muni Ap, NM | 4,301 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 5 |
| Gage, NM | 4,479 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 7 |
Frost dates near Columbus
- Deming, NM 88030 · last Apr 7, first Nov 3
- Hachita, NM 88040 · last Apr 23, first Oct 27
- La Mesa, NM 88044 · last Mar 12, first Nov 13
- Fairacres, NM 88033 · last Mar 12, first Nov 13
- Faywood, NM 88034 · last Apr 21, first Oct 31
- Santa Teresa, NM 88008 · last Mar 23, first Nov 11
- Mesilla, NM 88046 · last Mar 12, first Nov 13
- San Miguel, NM 88058 · last Mar 12, first Nov 13
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Columbus, NM?
- For ZIP code 88029, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 18, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Columbus, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 6.
- When is the first frost in Columbus, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 11. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 88029?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 237 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.