Frost dates for 88124Melrose, NM
The average last spring frost in Melrose is April 17 and the average first fall frost is October 26, giving a typical growing season of about 190 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 17
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 26
- Growing season
- 190 days
Safer after Apr 30 (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 16 · Apr 28 · May 9 | Oct 2 · Oct 17 · Oct 29 | 171 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 17 · Apr 30 | Oct 13 · Oct 26 · Nov 7 | 190 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 17 · Apr 5 · Apr 22 | Oct 22 · Nov 4 · Nov 17 | 212 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Melrose
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 17 – May 23 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 3 – Jul 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 17 – Apr 17 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – May 2 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jun 17 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Aug 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jul 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 2 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 17 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 2 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Jun 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Apr 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – Jun 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 16 – Nov 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 88124 is matched to the NOAA station Melrose, NM, 2.3 km away, at 4,599 ft elevation (134 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melrose, NM (used) | 4,599 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 26 |
| Ragland 3 Ssw, NM | 5,060 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 21 |
| Clovis, NM | 4,295 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 29 |
| Portales, NM | 4,010 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 26 |
Frost dates near Melrose
- Saint Vrain, NM 88133 · last Apr 17, first Oct 26
- Floyd, NM 88118 · last Apr 15, first Oct 26
- Cannon Afb, NM 88103 · last Apr 14, first Oct 29
- Mcalister, NM 88427 · last Apr 24, first Oct 21
- Taiban, NM 88134 · last Apr 9, first Oct 30
- Clovis, NM 88101 · last Apr 14, first Oct 29
- House, NM 88121 · last Apr 24, first Oct 21
- Portales, NM 88130 · last Apr 15, first Oct 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Melrose, NM?
- For ZIP code 88124, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 17, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Melrose, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 30.
- When is the first frost in Melrose, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 26. 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 88124?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 190 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.