Frost dates for 88119Fort Sumner, NM
The average last spring frost in Fort Sumner is April 9 and the average first fall frost is October 30, giving a typical growing season of about 201 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 9
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 30
- Growing season
- 201 days
Safer after Apr 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 16 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 3 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 6 · Apr 22 · May 5 | Oct 5 · Oct 20 · Nov 1 | 179 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 24 · Apr 9 · Apr 25 | Oct 16 · Oct 30 · Nov 9 | 201 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 7 · Mar 26 · Apr 12 | Oct 24 · Nov 6 · Nov 19 | 224 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Fort Sumner
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 9 – May 15 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – Jul 10 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 9 – Apr 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jul 20 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Jun 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Aug 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Jul 10 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 2 – May 25 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – May 9 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Feb 22 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – May 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 20 – Nov 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 88119 is matched to the NOAA station Ft Sumner, NM, 0.7 km away, at 4,025 ft elevation (6 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ft Sumner, NM (used) | 4,025 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 30 |
| Ft Sumner 5 S, NM | 4,050 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 26 |
| Sumner Lake, NM | 4,306 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 28 |
| Yeso 2 S, NM | 4,850 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 26 |
Frost dates near Fort Sumner
- Taiban, NM 88134 · last Apr 9, first Oct 30
- House, NM 88121 · last Apr 24, first Oct 21
- Yeso, NM 88136 · last Apr 18, first Oct 26
- Mcalister, NM 88427 · last Apr 24, first Oct 21
- Santa Rosa, NM 88435 · last Apr 20, first Oct 23
- Melrose, NM 88124 · last Apr 17, first Oct 26
- Floyd, NM 88118 · last Apr 15, first Oct 26
- Cuervo, NM 88417 · last Apr 20, first Oct 23
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Fort Sumner, NM?
- For ZIP code 88119, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ft Sumner, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 25.
- When is the first frost in Fort Sumner, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 30. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 16, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 88119?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 201 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.