Frost dates for 88344Pinon, NM
The average last spring frost in Pinon is May 7 and the average first fall frost is October 11, giving a typical growing season of about 155 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 7
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 11
- Growing season
- 155 days
Safer after May 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 185 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 5 · May 18 · Jun 2 | Sep 19 · Oct 1 · Oct 14 | 135 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 25 · May 7 · May 19 | Sep 27 · Oct 11 · Oct 24 | 155 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 10 · Apr 27 · May 10 | Oct 6 · Oct 22 · Nov 3 | 176 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Pinon
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 6 – Jun 12 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 21 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 7 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 21 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 22 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Jun 6 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 22 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jun 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Jun 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Sep 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 7 – Jun 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 1 – Nov 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 88344 is matched to the NOAA station Elk, NM, 31.6 km away, at 5,934 ft elevation (214 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elk, NM (used) | 5,934 ft | May 7 | Oct 11 |
| Cloudcroft, NM | 8,680 ft | May 18 | Oct 1 |
| Mtn Park, NM | 6,804 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 21 |
| Alamogordo, NM | 4,380 ft | Mar 9 | Nov 18 |
Frost dates near Pinon
- Weed, NM 88354 · last Apr 30, first Oct 21
- Timberon, NM 88350 · last Apr 30, first Oct 21
- Sacramento, NM 88347 · last May 18, first Oct 1
- Mayhill, NM 88339 · last Apr 30, first Oct 21
- Cloudcroft, NM 88317 · last May 18, first Oct 1
- Sunspot, NM 88349 · last May 18, first Oct 1
- High Rolls Mountain Park, NM 88325 · last Apr 30, first Oct 21
- Alamogordo, NM 88310 · last Mar 9, first Nov 18
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Pinon, NM?
- For ZIP code 88344, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Elk, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 19.
- When is the first frost in Pinon, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 11. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 27, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 88344?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 155 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.