Frost dates for 88130Portales, NM
The average last spring frost in Portales is April 15 and the average first fall frost is October 26, giving a typical growing season of about 193 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 15
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 26
- Growing season
- 193 days
Safer after Apr 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 170 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 11 · Apr 25 · May 6 | Oct 4 · Oct 17 · Oct 29 | 174 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 30 · Apr 15 · Apr 30 | Oct 12 · Oct 26 · Nov 7 | 193 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 15 · Apr 2 · Apr 21 | Oct 22 · Nov 4 · Nov 17 | 215 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Portales
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 15 – May 21 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jul 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jul 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Aug 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jul 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 8 – May 31 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 30 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 15 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Feb 28 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 16 – Nov 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 88130 is matched to the NOAA station Portales, NM, 1.6 km away, at 4,010 ft elevation (7 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portales, NM (used) | 4,010 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 26 |
| Arch, NM | 3,940 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 21 |
| Clovis, NM | 4,295 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 29 |
| Melrose, NM | 4,599 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 26 |
Frost dates near Portales
- Cannon Afb, NM 88103 · last Apr 14, first Oct 29
- Floyd, NM 88118 · last Apr 15, first Oct 26
- Dora, NM 88115 · last Apr 21, first Oct 23
- Clovis, NM 88102 · last Apr 14, first Oct 29
- Rogers, NM 88132 · last Apr 15, first Oct 26
- Texico, NM 88135 · last Apr 14, first Oct 29
- Saint Vrain, NM 88133 · last Apr 17, first Oct 26
- Elida, NM 88116 · last Apr 21, first Oct 23
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Portales, NM?
- For ZIP code 88130, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Portales, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 30.
- When is the first frost in Portales, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 26. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 12, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 88130?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 193 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.