Frost dates for 88352Tularosa, NM
The average last spring frost in Tularosa is April 5 and the average first fall frost is November 4, giving a typical growing season of about 212 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 5
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 4
- Growing season
- 212 days
Safer after Apr 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 20 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 3 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 4 · Apr 19 · May 2 | Oct 13 · Oct 27 · Nov 8 | 191 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 17 · Apr 5 · Apr 22 | Oct 20 · Nov 4 · Nov 19 | 212 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 25 · Mar 17 · Apr 7 | Oct 30 · Nov 15 · Dec 1 | 240 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Tularosa
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 5 – May 11 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jul 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jun 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Aug 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 5 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Feb 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Jul 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 25 – Nov 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 88352 is matched to the NOAA station Tularosa, NM, 2.9 km away, at 4,422 ft elevation (73 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tularosa, NM (used) | 4,422 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 4 |
| Alamogordo, NM | 4,380 ft | Mar 9 | Nov 18 |
| Mtn Park, NM | 6,804 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 21 |
| Cloudcroft, NM | 8,680 ft | May 18 | Oct 1 |
Frost dates near Tularosa
- La Luz, NM 88337 · last Apr 5, first Nov 4
- Bent, NM 88314 · last Apr 30, first Oct 21
- Alamogordo, NM 88311 · last Mar 9, first Nov 18
- High Rolls Mountain Park, NM 88325 · last Apr 30, first Oct 21
- Holloman Air Force Base, NM 88330 · last Apr 22, first Oct 22
- Mescalero, NM 88340 · last May 11, first Oct 5
- Sunspot, NM 88349 · last May 18, first Oct 1
- Cloudcroft, NM 88317 · last May 18, first Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Tularosa, NM?
- For ZIP code 88352, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Tularosa, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 22.
- When is the first frost in Tularosa, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 20, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 88352?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 212 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.