Frost dates for 88353Vaughn, NM
The average last spring frost in Vaughn is May 9 and the average first fall frost is October 6, giving a typical growing season of about 150 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 9
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 6
- Growing season
- 150 days
Safer after May 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 194 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 7 · May 19 · May 31 | Sep 18 · Sep 30 · Oct 12 | 132 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 28 · May 9 · May 22 | Sep 26 · Oct 6 · Oct 20 | 150 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 16 · Apr 30 · May 12 | Oct 3 · Oct 16 · Nov 1 | 167 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Vaughn
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 8 – Jun 14 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 16 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jun 26 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 19 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 16 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 24 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Jun 8 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jun 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 27 – Jun 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Jun 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 27 – Jul 12 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 26 – Oct 27 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 88353 is matched to the NOAA station Pedernal 9 E, NM, 25.8 km away, at 6,150 ft elevation (212 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pedernal 9 E, NM (used) | 6,150 ft | May 9 | Oct 6 |
| Clines Corners 7Se, NM | 6,924 ft | May 9 | Oct 7 |
| Ramon 8 Sw, NM | 5,327 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 16 |
| Santa Rosa, NM | 4,650 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 23 |
Frost dates near Vaughn
- Encino, NM 88321 · last May 9, first Oct 6
- Yeso, NM 88136 · last Apr 18, first Oct 26
- Cedarvale, NM 87009 · last Apr 29, first Oct 20
- Corona, NM 88318 · last Apr 29, first Oct 20
- Santa Rosa, NM 88435 · last Apr 20, first Oct 23
- Clines Corners, NM 87070 · last May 4, first Oct 12
- La Loma, NM 87724 · last May 2, first Oct 13
- Anton Chico, NM 87711 · last May 2, first Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Vaughn, NM?
- For ZIP code 88353, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Pedernal 9 E, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 22.
- When is the first frost in Vaughn, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 6. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 26, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 88353?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 150 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.