Frost dates for 88213Caprock, NM
The average last spring frost in Caprock is April 14 and the average first fall frost is October 28, giving a typical growing season of about 195 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 14
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 28
- Growing season
- 195 days
Safer after Apr 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 16 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 1 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 14 · Apr 26 · May 8 | Oct 5 · Oct 19 · Nov 1 | 175 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 14 · Apr 30 | Oct 16 · Oct 28 · Nov 10 | 195 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 15 · Apr 2 · Apr 17 | Oct 23 · Nov 6 · Nov 19 | 215 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Caprock
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 14 – May 20 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 8 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jul 18 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jun 14 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Aug 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 8 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 7 – May 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 29 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 14 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 27 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 3 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 18 – Nov 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 88213 is matched to the NOAA station Caprock, NM, 6.7 km away, at 4,350 ft elevation (39 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caprock, NM (used) | 4,350 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 28 |
| Tatum, NM | 4,012 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 26 |
| Elida, NM | 4,395 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 23 |
| Bitter Lakes Wl Refuge, NM | 3,664 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 20 |
Frost dates near Caprock
- Crossroads, NM 88114 · last Apr 19, first Oct 26
- Tatum, NM 88267 · last Apr 19, first Oct 26
- Milnesand, NM 88125 · last Apr 19, first Oct 26
- Mcdonald, NM 88262 · last Apr 19, first Oct 26
- Kenna, NM 88122 · last Apr 21, first Oct 23
- Lovington, NM 88260 · last Mar 28, first Nov 13
- Pep, NM 88126 · last Apr 21, first Oct 23
- Lingo, NM 88123 · last Apr 11, first Oct 31
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Caprock, NM?
- For ZIP code 88213, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 14, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Caprock, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 30.
- When is the first frost in Caprock, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 28. 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 88213?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 195 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.