Frost dates for 88416Conchas Dam, NM
The average last spring frost in Conchas Dam is April 4 and the average first fall frost is November 2, giving a typical growing season of about 210 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 4
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 2
- Growing season
- 210 days
Safer after Apr 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 19 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 6 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 3 · Apr 18 · May 3 | Oct 11 · Oct 24 · Nov 4 | 188 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 18 · Apr 4 · Apr 21 | Oct 19 · Nov 2 · Nov 16 | 210 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 5 · Mar 23 · Apr 6 | Oct 27 · Nov 12 · Nov 26 | 232 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Conchas Dam
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 4 – May 10 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 20 – Jul 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – Apr 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jul 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Jun 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Aug 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Jul 13 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – May 20 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – May 4 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Feb 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Jul 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – May 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Sep 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Sep 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 23 – Nov 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 88416 is matched to the NOAA station Conchas Dam, NM, 3.4 km away, at 4,244 ft elevation (31 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conchas Dam, NM (used) | 4,244 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 2 |
| Newkirk, NM | 4,564 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 21 |
| Tucumcari 4 Ne, NM | 4,086 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 25 |
| Mosquero 1 Ne, NM | 5,465 ft | May 3 | Oct 12 |
Frost dates near Conchas Dam
- Garita, NM 88421 · last Apr 4, first Nov 2
- Newkirk, NM 88431 · last Apr 21, first Oct 21
- Cuervo, NM 88417 · last Apr 20, first Oct 23
- Trementina, NM 88439 · last May 10, first Oct 7
- Tucumcari, NM 88401 · last Apr 18, first Oct 25
- Solano, NM 87746 · last Apr 30, first Oct 15
- Mosquero, NM 87733 · last May 3, first Oct 12
- Roy, NM 87743 · last Apr 30, first Oct 15
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Conchas Dam, NM?
- For ZIP code 88416, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Conchas Dam, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 21.
- When is the first frost in Conchas Dam, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 2. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 19, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 88416?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 210 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.