Frost dates for 88336Hondo, NM
The average last spring frost in Hondo is April 19 and the average first fall frost is October 25, giving a typical growing season of about 188 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 19
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 25
- Growing season
- 188 days
Safer after May 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 174 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 16 · Apr 30 · May 11 | Oct 2 · Oct 15 · Oct 28 | 167 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 4 · Apr 19 · May 2 | Oct 11 · Oct 25 · Nov 5 | 188 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 16 · Apr 4 · Apr 26 | Oct 22 · Nov 4 · Nov 17 | 210 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Hondo
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 19 – May 25 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jul 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 19 – Apr 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 19 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Aug 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jul 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 4 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 4 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 19 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 4 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Jun 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Apr 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jun 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 31 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 15 – Nov 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 88336 is matched to the NOAA station Picacho, NM, 12.8 km away, at 4,990 ft elevation (240 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Picacho, NM (used) | 4,990 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 25 |
| Capitan, NM | 6,480 ft | May 3 | Oct 12 |
| Ruidoso, NM | 6,930 ft | May 11 | Oct 5 |
| Elk, NM | 5,934 ft | May 7 | Oct 11 |
Frost dates near Hondo
- Tinnie, NM 88351 · last Apr 19, first Oct 25
- San Patricio, NM 88348 · last May 7, first Oct 11
- Picacho, NM 88343 · last Apr 19, first Oct 25
- 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
- Fort Stanton, NM 88323 · last May 3, first Oct 12
- Capitan, NM 88316 · last May 3, first Oct 12
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Hondo, NM?
- For ZIP code 88336, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Picacho, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 2.
- When is the first frost in Hondo, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 11, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 88336?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 188 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.