Frost dates for 88311Alamogordo, NM
The average last spring frost in Alamogordo is March 9 and the average first fall frost is November 18, giving a typical growing season of about 251 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 9
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 18
- Growing season
- 251 days
Safer after Mar 31 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 3 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 22 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 8 · Mar 25 · Apr 10 | Oct 25 · Nov 8 · Nov 21 | 224 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 18 · Mar 9 · Mar 31 | Nov 3 · Nov 18 · Dec 3 | 251 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 26 · Feb 18 · Mar 17 | Nov 14 · Nov 29 · Dec 14 | 280 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Alamogordo
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 6 – Apr 14 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 25 – Jul 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 6 – Mar 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 23 – Mar 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – Aug 8 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 25 – May 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 25 – Aug 31 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 25 – Jul 29 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 1 – Apr 24 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Apr 8 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 26 – Jan 22 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Feb 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Jul 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Aug 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 9 – Feb 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Apr 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Mar 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 25 – Sep 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Oct 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 24 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 8 – Dec 9 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 88311 is matched to the NOAA station Alamogordo, NM, 2.1 km away, at 4,380 ft elevation (43 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alamogordo, NM (used) | 4,380 ft | Mar 9 | Nov 18 |
| Mtn Park, NM | 6,804 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 21 |
| Tularosa, NM | 4,422 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 4 |
| Cloudcroft, NM | 8,680 ft | May 18 | Oct 1 |
Frost dates near Alamogordo
- Alamogordo, NM 88310 · last Mar 9, first Nov 18
- La Luz, NM 88337 · last Apr 5, first Nov 4
- Holloman Air Force Base, NM 88330 · last Apr 22, first Oct 22
- High Rolls Mountain Park, NM 88325 · last Apr 30, first Oct 21
- Sunspot, NM 88349 · last May 18, first Oct 1
- Tularosa, NM 88352 · last Apr 5, first Nov 4
- Cloudcroft, NM 88317 · last May 18, first Oct 1
- Bent, NM 88314 · last Apr 30, first Oct 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Alamogordo, NM?
- For ZIP code 88311, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Alamogordo, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 31.
- When is the first frost in Alamogordo, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 18. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 3, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 88311?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 251 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.