Frost dates for 88054Radium Springs, NM
The average last spring frost in Radium Springs is March 12 and the average first fall frost is November 13, giving a typical growing season of about 241 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 12
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 13
- Growing season
- 241 days
Safer after Apr 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 30 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 17 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 12 · Apr 1 · Apr 19 | Oct 21 · Nov 4 · Nov 15 | 214 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 23 · Mar 12 · Apr 2 | Oct 30 · Nov 13 · Nov 24 | 241 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 4 · Feb 26 · Mar 15 | Nov 9 · Nov 24 · Dec 8 | 270 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Radium Springs
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 9 – Apr 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 28 – Jul 24 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 9 – Mar 12 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 26 – Mar 27 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – Aug 3 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – May 12 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – Aug 26 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – Jul 24 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – Apr 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 27 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Apr 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 29 – Jan 25 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Feb 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Jul 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Aug 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 12 – Feb 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Apr 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Sep 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Apr 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Oct 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 19 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 3 – Dec 4 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 88054 is matched to the NOAA station State Univ, NM, 27.2 km away, at 3,886 ft elevation (123 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Univ, NM (used) | 3,886 ft | Mar 12 | Nov 13 |
| Las Cruces 20 N, NM | 4,327 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 24 |
| Jornada Exp Range, NM | 4,318 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 23 |
| Caballo Dam, NM | 4,239 ft | Mar 25 | Nov 6 |
Frost dates near Radium Springs
- Las Cruces, NM 88004 · last Mar 12, first Nov 13
- Dona Ana, NM 88032 · last Mar 12, first Nov 13
- Fairacres, NM 88033 · last Mar 12, first Nov 13
- Rincon, NM 87940 · last Apr 27, first Oct 23
- Mesilla, NM 88046 · last Mar 12, first Nov 13
- Organ, NM 88052 · last Apr 27, first Oct 23
- Hatch, NM 87937 · last Mar 25, first Nov 6
- Mesilla Park, NM 88047 · last Mar 12, first Nov 13
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Radium Springs, NM?
- For ZIP code 88054, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the State Univ, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 2.
- When is the first frost in Radium Springs, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 13. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 30, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 88054?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 241 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.