Frost dates for 88349Sunspot, NM
The average last spring frost in Sunspot is May 18 and the average first fall frost is October 1, giving a typical growing season of about 134 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 18
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 1
- Growing season
- 134 days
Safer after Jun 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 203 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 21 · Jun 1 · Jun 15 | Sep 6 · Sep 19 · Oct 2 | 108 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 7 · May 18 · Jun 1 | Sep 18 · Oct 1 · Oct 14 | 134 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 23 · May 5 · May 16 | Sep 29 · Oct 13 · Oct 28 | 159 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Sunspot
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 17 – Jun 23 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jun 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 17 – Jul 18 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 4 – Jun 2 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 17 – Jul 18 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 17 – Jun 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 18 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 17 – Jul 18 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jun 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 17 – Jul 18 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 3 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – Jun 2 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – Jun 17 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 2 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jun 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 22 – Jun 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – Jul 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – Jun 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 4 – May 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 18 – Jul 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 22 – Jul 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 21 – Oct 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 88349 is matched to the NOAA station Cloudcroft, NM, 10.6 km away, at 8,680 ft elevation (711 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cloudcroft, NM (used) | 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 |
| Tularosa, NM | 4,422 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 4 |
Frost dates near Sunspot
- High Rolls Mountain Park, NM 88325 · last Apr 30, first Oct 21
- Cloudcroft, NM 88317 · last May 18, first Oct 1
- Alamogordo, NM 88310 · last Mar 9, first Nov 18
- Sacramento, NM 88347 · last May 18, first Oct 1
- La Luz, NM 88337 · last Apr 5, first Nov 4
- Mayhill, NM 88339 · last Apr 30, first Oct 21
- Weed, NM 88354 · last Apr 30, first Oct 21
- Timberon, NM 88350 · last Apr 30, first Oct 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Sunspot, NM?
- For ZIP code 88349, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 18, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Cloudcroft, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 1.
- When is the first frost in Sunspot, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 18, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 88349?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 134 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.