Frost dates for 88401Tucumcari, NM
The average last spring frost in Tucumcari is April 18 and the average first fall frost is October 25, giving a typical growing season of about 189 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 18
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 25
- Growing season
- 189 days
Safer after May 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 173 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 15 · Apr 29 · May 11 | Oct 2 · Oct 17 · Oct 27 | 170 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 18 · May 2 | Oct 11 · Oct 25 · Nov 6 | 189 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 17 · Apr 4 · Apr 22 | Oct 22 · Nov 4 · Nov 16 | 212 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Tucumcari
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 18 – May 24 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jul 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 18 – Apr 18 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 4 – May 3 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 18 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Aug 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jul 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 3 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 3 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 18 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 3 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Jun 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Apr 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 31 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 15 – Nov 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 88401 is matched to the NOAA station Tucumcari 4 Ne, NM, 4.6 km away, at 4,086 ft elevation (11 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tucumcari 4 Ne, NM (used) | 4,086 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 25 |
| Tucumcari Muni Ap, NM | 4,065 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 26 |
| San Jon, NM | 4,230 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 24 |
| Ragland 3 Ssw, NM | 5,060 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 21 |
Frost dates near Tucumcari
- Quay, NM 88433 · last Apr 18, first Oct 25
- Logan, NM 88426 · last Apr 18, first Oct 26
- San Jon, NM 88434 · last Apr 18, first Oct 24
- Newkirk, NM 88431 · last Apr 21, first Oct 21
- Conchas Dam, NM 88416 · last Apr 4, first Nov 2
- Bard, NM 88411 · last Apr 18, first Oct 24
- Mcalister, NM 88427 · last Apr 24, first Oct 21
- Grady, NM 88120 · last Apr 20, first Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Tucumcari, NM?
- For ZIP code 88401, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 18, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Tucumcari 4 Ne, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 2.
- When is the first frost in Tucumcari, 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 88401?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 189 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.