Frost dates for 88418Des Moines, NM
The average last spring frost in Des Moines is May 17 and the average first fall frost is October 1, giving a typical growing season of about 136 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 17
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 1
- Growing season
- 136 days
Safer after Jun 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 202 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 14 · May 28 · Jun 9 | Sep 11 · Sep 24 · Oct 4 | 117 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 3 · May 17 · Jun 1 | Sep 19 · Oct 1 · Oct 13 | 136 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 22 · May 5 · May 20 | Sep 28 · Oct 8 · Oct 21 | 156 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Des Moines
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 16 – Jun 22 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 3 – Jun 1 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jun 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 17 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 16 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 1 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jun 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 22 – Jun 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jul 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 3 – May 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 17 – Jul 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 22 – Jul 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 21 – Oct 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 88418 is matched to the NOAA station Capulin, NM, 10.7 km away, at 6,840 ft elevation (667 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capulin, NM (used) | 6,840 ft | May 17 | Oct 1 |
| Grenville, NM | 6,002 ft | May 5 | Oct 9 |
| Pasamonte, NM | 5,650 ft | May 5 | Oct 7 |
| Lake Maloya, NM | 7,400 ft | May 21 | Sep 29 |
Frost dates near Des Moines
- Capulin, NM 88414 · last May 17, first Oct 1
- Folsom, NM 88419 · last May 17, first Oct 1
- Branson, CO 81027 · last Apr 30, first Oct 15
- Trinchera, CO 81081 · last May 4, first Oct 9
- Gladstone, NM 88422 · last May 5, first Oct 7
- Grenville, NM 88424 · last May 5, first Oct 7
- Raton, NM 87740 · last May 19, first Sep 29
- Maxwell, NM 87728 · last May 17, first Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Des Moines, NM?
- For ZIP code 88418, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 17, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Capulin, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 1.
- When is the first frost in Des Moines, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 19, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 88418?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 136 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.