Frost dates for 88301Carrizozo, NM
The average last spring frost in Carrizozo is April 27 and the average first fall frost is October 20, giving a typical growing season of about 175 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 27
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 20
- Growing season
- 175 days
Safer after May 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 182 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 22 · May 5 · May 18 | Sep 28 · Oct 11 · Oct 22 | 157 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 11 · Apr 27 · May 8 | Oct 7 · Oct 20 · Nov 2 | 175 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 29 · Apr 14 · May 1 | Oct 15 · Oct 30 · Nov 11 | 196 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Carrizozo
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 27 – Jun 2 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jun 30 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jul 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 27 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Aug 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 30 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 12 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 12 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jun 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Jun 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Sep 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – Jun 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 10 – Nov 10 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 88301 is matched to the NOAA station Carrizozo 1Sw, NM, 3.2 km away, at 5,405 ft elevation (22 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carrizozo 1Sw, NM (used) | 5,405 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 20 |
| Capitan, NM | 6,480 ft | May 3 | Oct 12 |
| Ruidoso, NM | 6,930 ft | May 11 | Oct 5 |
| Bingham 2 Ne, NM | 5,551 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 23 |
Frost dates near Carrizozo
- Nogal, NM 88341 · last May 11, first Oct 5
- Alto, NM 88312 · last May 11, first Oct 5
- Capitan, NM 88316 · last May 3, first Oct 12
- Fort Stanton, NM 88323 · last May 3, first Oct 12
- Ruidoso, NM 88355 · last May 11, first Oct 5
- Ruidoso Downs, NM 88346 · last May 3, first Oct 12
- Claunch, NM 87011 · last May 2, first Oct 15
- Lincoln, NM 88338 · last May 3, first Oct 12
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Carrizozo, NM?
- For ZIP code 88301, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 27, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Carrizozo 1Sw, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 8.
- When is the first frost in Carrizozo, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 20. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 7, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 88301?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 175 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.