Frost dates for 88268Whites City, NM
The average last spring frost in Whites City is March 27 and the average first fall frost is November 7, giving a typical growing season of about 223 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 27
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 7
- Growing season
- 223 days
Safer after Apr 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 26 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 11 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 24 · Apr 9 · Apr 26 | Oct 18 · Oct 29 · Nov 9 | 201 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 7 · Mar 27 · Apr 13 | Oct 26 · Nov 7 · Nov 18 | 223 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 20 · Mar 9 · Mar 30 | Nov 2 · Nov 16 · Nov 27 | 249 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Whites City
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 24 – May 2 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 12 – Jul 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 24 – Mar 27 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 26 – May 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 13 – Apr 11 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 26 – May 27 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Jul 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – May 27 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – May 27 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – Aug 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – Jul 18 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – May 27 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – May 12 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Apr 11 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Apr 26 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Feb 9 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Jul 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Aug 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Feb 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – May 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Apr 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Apr 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 13 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 28 – Nov 28 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 88268 is matched to the NOAA station Carlsbad Cavern City Ap, NM, 20.8 km away, at 3,232 ft elevation (426 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carlsbad Cavern City Ap, NM (used) | 3,232 ft | Mar 27 | Nov 7 |
| Carlsbad Caverns, NM | 4,435 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 11 |
| Dark Canyon Road, NM | 3,924 ft | Apr 6 | Nov 1 |
| Carlsbad, NM | 3,120 ft | Mar 17 | Nov 12 |
Frost dates near Whites City
- Carlsbad, NM 88221 · last Mar 27, first Nov 7
- Loving, NM 88256 · last Mar 17, first Nov 12
- Malaga, NM 88263 · last Mar 17, first Nov 12
- Lakewood, NM 88254 · last Apr 11, first Oct 29
- Orla, TX 79770 · last Mar 26, first Nov 6
- Artesia, NM 88211 · last Apr 11, first Oct 29
- Hope, NM 88250 · last Apr 1, first Nov 6
- Loco Hills, NM 88255 · last Apr 11, first Oct 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Whites City, NM?
- For ZIP code 88268, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 27, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Carlsbad Cavern City Ap, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 13.
- When is the first frost in Whites City, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 7. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 26, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 88268?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 223 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.