Frost dates for 88431Newkirk, NM
The average last spring frost in Newkirk is April 21 and the average first fall frost is October 21, giving a typical growing season of about 183 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 21
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 21
- Growing season
- 183 days
Safer after May 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 171 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 16 · Apr 30 · May 14 | Sep 29 · Oct 12 · Oct 23 | 164 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 21 · May 5 | Oct 7 · Oct 21 · Nov 2 | 183 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 21 · Apr 7 · Apr 25 | Oct 17 · Oct 30 · Nov 11 | 205 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Newkirk
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 21 – May 27 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jul 1 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 7 – May 6 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 11 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 21 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Aug 3 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jul 1 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 6 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 6 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 21 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 6 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Jun 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Sep 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Apr 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jun 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 27 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 11 – Nov 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 88431 is matched to the NOAA station Newkirk, NM, 2.1 km away, at 4,564 ft elevation (36 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newkirk, NM (used) | 4,564 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 21 |
| Conchas Dam, NM | 4,244 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 2 |
| Santa Rosa, NM | 4,650 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 23 |
| Tucumcari 4 Ne, NM | 4,086 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 25 |
Frost dates near Newkirk
- Cuervo, NM 88417 · last Apr 20, first Oct 23
- Conchas Dam, NM 88416 · last Apr 4, first Nov 2
- Garita, NM 88421 · last Apr 4, first Nov 2
- Santa Rosa, NM 88435 · last Apr 20, first Oct 23
- Quay, NM 88433 · last Apr 18, first Oct 25
- Tucumcari, NM 88401 · last Apr 18, first Oct 25
- House, NM 88121 · last Apr 24, first Oct 21
- Trementina, NM 88439 · last May 10, first Oct 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Newkirk, NM?
- For ZIP code 88431, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 21, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Newkirk, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 5.
- When is the first frost in Newkirk, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 21. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 7, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 88431?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 183 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.