Frost dates for 88312Alto, NM
The average last spring frost in Alto is May 11 and the average first fall frost is October 5, giving a typical growing season of about 147 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 11
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 5
- Growing season
- 147 days
Safer after May 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 196 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) | May 11 · May 23 · Jun 5 | Sep 12 · Sep 26 · Oct 6 | 123 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 30 · May 11 · May 22 | Sep 24 · Oct 5 · Oct 20 | 147 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 15 · Apr 30 · May 11 | Oct 3 · Oct 17 · Nov 1 | 170 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Alto
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 | Apr 10 – Jun 16 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 27 – May 26 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jun 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jul 11 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jul 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jun 26 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – Jun 10 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 26 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – May 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – May 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jun 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 26 – Jun 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – Jun 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – May 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 11 – Jun 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 26 – Jul 11 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 25 – Oct 26 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 88312 is matched to the NOAA station Ruidoso, NM, 7.2 km away, at 6,930 ft elevation (403 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruidoso, NM (used) | 6,930 ft | May 11 | Oct 5 |
| Capitan, NM | 6,480 ft | May 3 | Oct 12 |
| Carrizozo 1Sw, NM | 5,405 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 20 |
| Picacho, NM | 4,990 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 25 |
Frost dates near Alto
- Nogal, NM 88341 · last May 11, first Oct 5
- Ruidoso, NM 88345 · last May 11, first Oct 5
- Ruidoso Downs, NM 88346 · last May 3, first Oct 12
- Fort Stanton, NM 88323 · last May 3, first Oct 12
- Capitan, NM 88316 · last May 3, first Oct 12
- Glencoe, NM 88324 · last May 3, first Oct 12
- Mescalero, NM 88340 · last May 11, first Oct 5
- Lincoln, NM 88338 · last May 3, first Oct 12
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Alto, NM?
- For ZIP code 88312, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ruidoso, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 22.
- When is the first frost in Alto, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 5. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 24, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 88312?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 147 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.