Frost dates for 88081Chaparral, NM
The average last spring frost in Chaparral is March 24 and the average first fall frost is November 7, giving a typical growing season of about 225 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 24
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 7
- Growing season
- 225 days
Safer after Apr 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 24 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 11 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 23 · Apr 9 · Apr 26 | Oct 14 · Oct 29 · Nov 9 | 201 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 7 · Mar 24 · Apr 9 | Oct 24 · Nov 7 · Nov 19 | 225 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 15 · Mar 8 · Mar 25 | Nov 3 · Nov 17 · Nov 29 | 252 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Chaparral
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 21 – Apr 29 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 9 – Jul 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 21 – Mar 24 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 10 – Apr 8 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Jul 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – May 24 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – Aug 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – Jul 18 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 9 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 23 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 10 – Feb 6 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Jul 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Aug 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – May 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Mar 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 13 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 28 – Nov 28 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 88081 is matched to the NOAA station Orogrande, NM, 23.5 km away, at 4,221 ft elevation (120 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orogrande, NM (used) | 4,221 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 7 |
| La Tuna 1 S, TX | 3,870 ft | Feb 28 | Nov 20 |
| El Paso Intl Ap, TX | 3,918 ft | Mar 2 | Nov 20 |
| State Univ, NM | 3,886 ft | Mar 12 | Nov 13 |
Frost dates near Chaparral
- Orogrande, NM 88342 · last Mar 24, first Nov 7
- White Sands Missile Range, NM 88002 · last Apr 27, first Oct 23
- El Paso, TX 79934 · last Mar 2, first Nov 20
- Vado, NM 88072 · last Feb 28, first Nov 20
- Berino, NM 88024 · last Feb 28, first Nov 20
- Mesquite, NM 88048 · last Mar 12, first Nov 13
- Las Cruces, NM 88011 · last Mar 12, first Nov 13
- Organ, NM 88052 · last Apr 27, first Oct 23
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Chaparral, NM?
- For ZIP code 88081, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 24, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Orogrande, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 9.
- When is the first frost in Chaparral, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 7. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 24, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 88081?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 225 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.