Frost dates for 88323Fort Stanton, NM
The average last spring frost in Fort Stanton is May 3 and the average first fall frost is October 12, giving a typical growing season of about 161 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 3
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 12
- Growing season
- 161 days
Safer after May 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 188 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 30 · May 13 · May 25 | Sep 22 · Oct 3 · Oct 15 | 143 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 20 · May 3 · May 17 | Oct 1 · Oct 12 · Oct 23 | 161 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 24 · May 8 | Oct 10 · Oct 24 · Nov 5 | 182 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Fort Stanton
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 2 – Jun 8 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 22 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 2 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 22 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 18 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 2 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jun 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Sep 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 18 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 2 – Nov 2 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 88323 is matched to the NOAA station Capitan, NM, 7.7 km away, at 6,480 ft elevation (266 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capitan, NM (used) | 6,480 ft | May 3 | Oct 12 |
| Ruidoso, NM | 6,930 ft | May 11 | Oct 5 |
| Carrizozo 1Sw, NM | 5,405 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 20 |
| Picacho, NM | 4,990 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 25 |
Frost dates near Fort Stanton
- Capitan, NM 88316 · last May 3, first Oct 12
- Lincoln, NM 88338 · last May 3, first Oct 12
- Glencoe, NM 88324 · last May 3, first Oct 12
- Ruidoso Downs, NM 88346 · last May 3, first Oct 12
- Alto, NM 88312 · last May 11, first Oct 5
- Nogal, NM 88341 · last May 11, first Oct 5
- San Patricio, NM 88348 · last May 7, first Oct 11
- Ruidoso, NM 88345 · last May 11, first Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Fort Stanton, NM?
- For ZIP code 88323, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Capitan, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 17.
- When is the first frost in Fort Stanton, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 12. 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 88323?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 161 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.