Frost dates for 88250Hope, NM
The average last spring frost in Hope is April 1 and the average first fall frost is November 6, giving a typical growing season of about 218 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 1
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 6
- Growing season
- 218 days
Safer after Apr 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 22 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 10 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 27 · Apr 11 · Apr 29 | Oct 17 · Oct 30 · Nov 11 | 198 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 15 · Apr 1 · Apr 17 | Oct 22 · Nov 6 · Nov 21 | 218 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 27 · Mar 18 · Apr 5 | Oct 31 · Nov 16 · Dec 2 | 242 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Hope
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 1 – May 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – Jul 17 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 1 – Apr 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jul 27 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Jun 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Aug 19 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Jul 17 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – May 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – May 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Feb 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Jul 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Aug 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – May 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Sep 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 12 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 27 – Nov 27 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 88250 is matched to the NOAA station Hope, NM, 1 km away, at 4,085 ft elevation (7 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hope, NM (used) | 4,085 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 6 |
| Artesia 6S, NM | 3,366 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 29 |
| Brantley Dam, NM | 3,213 ft | Mar 25 | Nov 8 |
| Elk, NM | 5,934 ft | May 7 | Oct 11 |
Frost dates near Hope
- Artesia, NM 88210 · last Apr 11, first Oct 29
- Lake Arthur, NM 88253 · last Apr 11, first Oct 29
- Lakewood, NM 88254 · last Apr 11, first Oct 29
- Hagerman, NM 88232 · last Mar 29, first Nov 7
- Dexter, NM 88230 · last Mar 29, first Nov 7
- Roswell, NM 88202 · last Mar 29, first Nov 7
- Carlsbad, NM 88220 · last Mar 17, first Nov 12
- Pinon, NM 88344 · last May 7, first Oct 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Hope, NM?
- For ZIP code 88250, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Hope, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 17.
- When is the first frost in Hope, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 6. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 22, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 88250?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 218 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.