Frost dates for 88318Corona, NM
The average last spring frost in Corona is April 29 and the average first fall frost is October 20, giving a typical growing season of about 172 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 29
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 20
- Growing season
- 172 days
Safer after May 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 184 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 27 · May 8 · May 22 | Sep 18 · Oct 10 · Oct 22 | 152 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 15 · Apr 29 · May 11 | Oct 1 · Oct 20 · Nov 4 | 172 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 16 · May 1 | Oct 10 · Oct 30 · Nov 14 | 195 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Corona
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 29 – Jun 4 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 30 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 29 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Aug 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 30 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 14 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 29 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jun 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Jun 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Sep 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – Jun 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 10 – Nov 10 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 88318 is matched to the NOAA station Corona 10Sw, NM, 15.2 km away, at 6,680 ft elevation (33 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corona 10Sw, NM (used) | 6,680 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 20 |
| Ramon 8 Sw, NM | 5,327 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 16 |
| Pedernal 9 E, NM | 6,150 ft | May 9 | Oct 6 |
| Gran Quivira Natl Mon, NM | 6,600 ft | May 2 | Oct 15 |
Frost dates near Corona
- Cedarvale, NM 87009 · last Apr 29, first Oct 20
- Claunch, NM 87011 · last May 2, first Oct 15
- Encino, NM 88321 · last May 9, first Oct 6
- Vaughn, NM 88353 · last May 9, first Oct 6
- Willard, NM 87063 · last May 18, first Oct 1
- Carrizozo, NM 88301 · last Apr 27, first Oct 20
- Capitan, NM 88316 · last May 3, first Oct 12
- Fort Stanton, NM 88323 · last May 3, first Oct 12
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Corona, NM?
- For ZIP code 88318, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 29, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Corona 10Sw, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 11.
- When is the first frost in Corona, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 20. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 88318?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 172 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.