Frost dates for 88042Hillsboro, NM
The average last spring frost in Hillsboro is April 23 and the average first fall frost is October 23, giving a typical growing season of about 183 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 23
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 23
- Growing season
- 183 days
Safer after May 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 172 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 21 · May 4 · May 17 | Oct 5 · Oct 15 · Oct 27 | 164 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 5 · Apr 23 · May 7 | Oct 13 · Oct 23 · Nov 3 | 183 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 20 · Apr 7 · Apr 25 | Oct 21 · Nov 2 · Nov 15 | 207 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Hillsboro
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 23 – May 29 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jul 3 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 13 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Aug 5 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jul 3 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 23 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 8 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Jun 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Sep 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Apr 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 29 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 13 – Nov 13 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 88042 is matched to the NOAA station Hillsboro, NM, 5.8 km away, at 5,267 ft elevation (320 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hillsboro, NM (used) | 5,267 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 23 |
| Caballo Dam, NM | 4,239 ft | Mar 25 | Nov 6 |
| Faywood, NM | 5,251 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 31 |
| Truth Or Consequences, NM | 4,296 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 5 |
Frost dates near Hillsboro
- Caballo, NM 87931 · last Mar 25, first Nov 6
- Arrey, NM 87930 · last Mar 25, first Nov 6
- Hanover, NM 88041 · last Apr 4, first Nov 8
- Derry, NM 87933 · last Mar 25, first Nov 6
- Mimbres, NM 88049 · last Apr 4, first Nov 8
- Williamsburg, NM 87942 · last Mar 30, first Nov 5
- Garfield, NM 87936 · last Mar 25, first Nov 6
- Fort Bayard, NM 88036 · last Apr 4, first Nov 8
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Hillsboro, NM?
- For ZIP code 88042, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Hillsboro, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 7.
- When is the first frost in Hillsboro, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 23. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 13, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 88042?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 183 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.