Frost dates for 88220Carlsbad, NM
The average last spring frost in Carlsbad is March 17 and the average first fall frost is November 12, giving a typical growing season of about 238 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 17
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 12
- Growing season
- 238 days
Safer after Apr 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 29 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 16 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 15 · Apr 3 · Apr 21 | Oct 22 · Nov 3 · Nov 15 | 213 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 28 · Mar 17 · Apr 5 | Oct 29 · Nov 12 · Nov 26 | 238 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 10 · Mar 2 · Mar 22 | Nov 7 · Nov 23 · Dec 7 | 265 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Carlsbad
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 14 – Apr 22 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 2 – Jul 23 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 14 – Mar 17 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 3 – Apr 1 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Aug 2 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – May 17 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – Aug 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – Jul 23 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – May 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Apr 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Apr 16 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 3 – Jan 30 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Mar 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Jul 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Aug 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 17 – Feb 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – May 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Sep 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Apr 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Oct 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 18 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 2 – Dec 3 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 88220 is matched to the NOAA station Carlsbad, NM, 7.3 km away, at 3,120 ft elevation (3 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carlsbad, NM (used) | 3,120 ft | Mar 17 | Nov 12 |
| Carlsbad Cavern City Ap, NM | 3,232 ft | Mar 27 | Nov 7 |
| Brantley Dam, NM | 3,213 ft | Mar 25 | Nov 8 |
| Dark Canyon Road, NM | 3,924 ft | Apr 6 | Nov 1 |
Frost dates near Carlsbad
- Carlsbad, NM 88221 · last Mar 27, first Nov 7
- Loving, NM 88256 · last Mar 17, first Nov 12
- Lakewood, NM 88254 · last Apr 11, first Oct 29
- Whites City, NM 88268 · last Mar 27, first Nov 7
- Malaga, NM 88263 · last Mar 17, first Nov 12
- Artesia, NM 88211 · last Apr 11, first Oct 29
- Loco Hills, NM 88255 · last Apr 11, first Oct 29
- Hope, NM 88250 · last Apr 1, first Nov 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Carlsbad, NM?
- For ZIP code 88220, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 17, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Carlsbad, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 5.
- When is the first frost in Carlsbad, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 12. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 88220?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 238 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.