Frost dates for 88051Mule Creek, NM
The average last spring frost in Mule Creek is May 26 and the average first fall frost is October 5, giving a typical growing season of about 129 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 26
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 5
- Growing season
- 129 days
Safer after Jun 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 211 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 28 · Jun 8 · Jun 21 | Sep 14 · Sep 27 · Oct 6 | 108 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 12 · May 26 · Jun 8 | Sep 23 · Oct 5 · Oct 16 | 129 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 26 · May 8 · May 22 | Oct 2 · Oct 14 · Oct 28 | 157 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Mule Creek
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 25 – Jul 1 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 11 – Jun 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 25 – Jul 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 12 – Jun 10 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 25 – Jul 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 25 – Jun 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 25 – Jul 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jun 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 25 – Jul 26 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 18 – Jul 11 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – Jun 10 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – Jun 25 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 10 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 12 – Jun 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 12 – Jun 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jun 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 26 – Jun 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – Jul 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – Jun 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 12 – Jun 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 26 – Jul 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 26 – Jul 11 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 25 – Oct 26 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 88051 is matched to the NOAA station Gila Hot Springs, NM, 65.5 km away, at 5,636 ft elevation (79 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). This station is relatively far away, so local dates may differ more than usual. Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gila Hot Springs, NM (used) | 5,636 ft | May 26 | Oct 5 |
| Glenwood, NM | 4,725 ft | May 6 | Oct 18 |
| Clifton, AZ | 3,520 ft | Feb 26 | Nov 23 |
| Duncan, AZ | 3,660 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 25 |
Frost dates near Mule Creek
- Buckhorn, NM 88025 · last May 9, first Oct 15
- Glenwood, NM 88039 · last Jun 15, first Sep 21
- Cliff, NM 88028 · last May 9, first Oct 15
- Clifton, AZ 85533 · last May 6, first Oct 18
- Gila, NM 88038 · last May 9, first Oct 15
- Duncan, AZ 85534 · last Apr 24, first Oct 25
- Morenci, AZ 85540 · last May 6, first Oct 18
- Redrock, NM 88055 · last Apr 30, first Oct 23
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Mule Creek, NM?
- For ZIP code 88051, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Gila Hot Springs, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 8.
- When is the first frost in Mule Creek, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 5. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 23, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 88051?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 129 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.