Frost dates for 88262Mcdonald, NM
The average last spring frost in Mcdonald is April 19 and the average first fall frost is October 26, giving a typical growing season of about 188 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 19
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 26
- Growing season
- 188 days
Safer after May 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 174 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 15 · Apr 28 · May 9 | Oct 3 · Oct 18 · Oct 28 | 171 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 19 · May 2 | Oct 12 · Oct 26 · Nov 6 | 188 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 21 · Apr 8 · Apr 24 | Oct 22 · Nov 4 · Nov 16 | 209 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Mcdonald
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 19 – May 25 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jul 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 19 – Apr 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 19 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Aug 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jul 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 4 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 4 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 19 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 4 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Jun 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Apr 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jun 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 16 – Nov 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 88262 is matched to the NOAA station Tatum, NM, 12 km away, at 4,012 ft elevation (49 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tatum, NM (used) | 4,012 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 26 |
| Caprock, NM | 4,350 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 28 |
| Plains, TX | 3,675 ft | Apr 11 | Nov 1 |
| Hobbs 13W, NM | 3,836 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 13 |
Frost dates near Mcdonald
- Tatum, NM 88267 · last Apr 19, first Oct 26
- Lovington, NM 88260 · last Mar 28, first Nov 13
- Hobbs, NM 88242 · last Mar 28, first Nov 10
- Caprock, NM 88213 · last Apr 14, first Oct 28
- Crossroads, NM 88114 · last Apr 19, first Oct 26
- Plains, TX 79355 · last Apr 11, first Nov 1
- Denver City, TX 79323 · last Apr 7, first Nov 4
- Milnesand, NM 88125 · last Apr 19, first Oct 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Mcdonald, NM?
- For ZIP code 88262, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Tatum, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 2.
- When is the first frost in Mcdonald, 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 88262?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 188 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.