Alto, NM frost dates
Last spring frostMay 11median date
First fall frostOct 5median date
Growing season147 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Alto compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Alto falls between April 30 and May 22, a 22-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 24 and October 20.
- The median last frost is 8 days later than the New Mexico median of May 3.
- Its 147-day growing season is longer than 32% of the 349 New Mexico places with a regular frost season (state median 164 days).
- The last frost is 25 days later than the zone 7a median of Apr 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 156 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 30 |
| 50% (median) | May 11 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 22 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 24 |
| 50% (median) | October 5 |
| 90% (late) | October 20 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Alto, NM
Alto, NM frost dates — last frost May 11, first frost Oct 5, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 8
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 8
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11Plant for fall: Jun 29 to Jul 20
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Jun 29 to Jul 20
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11Plant for fall: Jun 29 to Jul 20
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Transplant outside: Jun 1 to Jun 15Sow outdoors: Jun 1 to Jun 15
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Apr 13 to Apr 20Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 1Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Apr 13 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Apr 13 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Apr 13 to Apr 20Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 18Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Jul 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 18Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 25Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 8Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 1
Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 15
Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 26
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Alto, NM
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 25 – Jun 8 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 25 – Jun 8 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Apr 20 – May 4 | Apr 13 – May 18 | Aug 10 – Sep 7 |
| Kale | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Broccoli | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | Jun 29 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | Jun 29 – Jul 20 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | Jun 29 – Jul 20 |
| Okra | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | — |
| Basil | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 20 | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 20 | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 6 – May 18 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 13 – Apr 20 | May 25 – Jun 1 | May 18 – Jun 1 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 13 – Apr 20 | — | May 18 – Jun 1 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 13 – Apr 20 | — | May 18 – Jun 1 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 13 – Apr 20 | May 25 – Jun 8 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 20 – May 18 | Jul 13 – Jul 27 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 20 – May 18 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 20 – May 11 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 27 – May 25 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 27 – May 18 | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 18 – Jun 8 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 18 – Jun 1 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 25 – Jun 15 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 21 – Oct 26 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Ruidoso, NM weather station, 7 km away (elevation 6,929 ft (2,112 m)).
Frost dates near Alto
- Nogal May 3 · Oct 12
- Ruidoso May 11 · Oct 5
- Ruidoso Downs May 11 · Oct 5
- Fort Stanton May 3 · Oct 12
- Capitan May 3 · Oct 12
- Glencoe May 11 · Oct 5
- Mescalero May 11 · Oct 5
- Lincoln May 3 · Oct 12
- Carrizozo Apr 27 · Oct 20
- San Patricio Apr 19 · Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Alto, NM?
The median last spring frost in Alto, NM is May 11. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 22, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Alto, NM?
The median first fall frost is October 5, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 24.
How long is the growing season in Alto, NM?
About 147 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Alto, NM?
Alto, NM is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.