Bluewater, NM frost dates
Last spring frostMay 17median date
First fall frostOct 3median date
Growing season139 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Bluewater compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Bluewater falls between April 30 and June 1, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 21 and October 14.
- The median last frost is 14 days later than the New Mexico median of May 3.
- Its 139-day growing season is longer than 24% of the 349 New Mexico places with a regular frost season (state median 164 days).
- The last frost is 18 days later than the zone 6a median of Apr 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 182 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Rio Rancho, NM, 118 km away, the last frost here is 39 days later than there and the growing season is 68 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 30 |
| 50% (median) | May 17 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 1 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 21 |
| 50% (median) | October 3 |
| 90% (late) | October 14 |
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 Bluewater, NM
Bluewater, NM frost dates — last frost May 17, first frost Oct 3, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: May 31 to Jun 14
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: May 31 to Jun 14
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 24 to Jun 7
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 24Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17Plant for fall: Jun 27 to Jul 18
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Jun 27 to Jul 18
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17Plant for fall: Jun 27 to Jul 18
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Transplant outside: Jun 7 to Jun 21Sow outdoors: Jun 7 to Jun 21
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Transplant outside: May 24 to Jun 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 24Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Apr 19 to Apr 26Transplant outside: May 31 to Jun 7Sow outdoors: May 24 to Jun 7Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Apr 19 to Apr 26Sow outdoors: May 24 to Jun 7Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Apr 19 to Apr 26Sow outdoors: May 24 to Jun 7
Start indoors: Apr 19 to Apr 26Transplant outside: May 31 to Jun 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 24Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Jul 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 24Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 17
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 31Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 24Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: May 24 to Jun 14Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: May 24 to Jun 7
Transplant outside: May 31 to Jun 21
Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 24
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Bluewater, NM
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | May 31 – Jun 14 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | May 31 – Jun 14 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | May 24 – Jun 7 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Apr 19 – May 24 | Aug 8 – Sep 5 |
| Kale | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Apr 19 – May 3 | Apr 19 – May 3 | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Broccoli | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | May 3 – May 17 | — | Jun 27 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | Jun 27 – Jul 18 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | May 3 – May 17 | — | Jun 27 – Jul 18 |
| Okra | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | — |
| Basil | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | May 24 – Jun 7 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 12 – May 24 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | May 31 – Jun 7 | May 24 – Jun 7 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | — | May 24 – Jun 7 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | — | May 24 – Jun 7 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | May 31 – Jun 14 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 26 – May 24 | Jul 11 – Jul 25 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 26 – May 24 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 26 – May 17 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 3 – May 31 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 3 – May 24 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 24 – Jun 14 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 24 – Jun 7 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 31 – Jun 21 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 19 – Oct 24 |
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 Grants Ap, NM weather station, 13 km away (elevation 6,519 ft (1,987 m)).
Frost dates near Bluewater
- Milan May 17 · Oct 3
- Prewitt May 29 · Sep 26
- Grants May 17 · Oct 3
- San Rafael May 17 · Oct 3
- Thoreau May 29 · Sep 26
- Jamestown May 29 · Sep 26
- Smith Lake May 29 · Sep 26
- Yatahey May 29 · Sep 26
- Continental Divide Jun 5 · Sep 25
- San Fidel May 13 · Oct 4
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Bluewater, NM?
The median last spring frost in Bluewater, NM is May 17. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 1, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Bluewater, NM?
The median first fall frost is October 3, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 21.
How long is the growing season in Bluewater, NM?
About 139 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Bluewater, NM?
Bluewater, NM is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.