Carlsbad, NM frost dates
Last spring frostMar 27median date
First fall frostNov 7median date
Growing season225 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Carlsbad compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Carlsbad falls between March 7 and April 13, a 37-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 26 and November 18.
- The median last frost is 37 days earlier than the New Mexico median of May 3.
- Its 225-day growing season is longer than 89% of the 349 New Mexico places with a regular frost season (state median 164 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 8a, where the median is Mar 29.
- The weather station records an average of 69 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 7 |
| 50% (median) | March 27 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 13 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 26 |
| 50% (median) | November 7 |
| 90% (late) | November 18 |
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 Carlsbad, NM
Carlsbad, NM frost dates — last frost Mar 27, first frost Nov 7, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 2 to Jan 16Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 10
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Mar 13 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Mar 13 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 1
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Sow outdoors: Feb 13 to Mar 6Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 13 to Mar 6Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 3
Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 17
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 6Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 6Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Transplant outside: Apr 10 to May 1
Plant for fall: Oct 24 to Nov 28
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Carlsbad, NM
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 2 – Jan 16 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Feb 27 – Apr 3 | Sep 12 – Oct 10 |
| Kale | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Broccoli | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | — | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Cabbage | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | — | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Okra | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — |
| Basil | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 13 – Mar 6 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 13 – Mar 6 | Sep 12 – Oct 3 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 20 – Apr 3 | Sep 26 – Oct 17 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 27 – Mar 6 | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 27 – Mar 6 | — | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 27 – Mar 6 | — | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 27 – Mar 6 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 6 – Apr 3 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 6 – Apr 3 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 6 – Mar 27 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 10 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 3 | Sep 12 – Oct 3 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 24 – Nov 28 |
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 Carlsbad Cavern City Ap, NM weather station, 5 km away (elevation 3,232 ft (985 m)).
ZIP codes in Carlsbad: 88220 88221
Frost dates near Carlsbad
- Loving Mar 17 · Nov 12
- Whites City Apr 2 · Nov 11
- Malaga Mar 17 · Nov 12
- Lakewood Apr 11 · Oct 29
- Artesia Apr 11 · Oct 29
- Loco Hills Apr 11 · Oct 29
- Hope Apr 1 · Nov 6
- Lake Arthur Apr 11 · Oct 29
- Maljamar Mar 28 · Nov 13
- Hagerman Mar 29 · Nov 7
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Carlsbad, NM?
The median last spring frost in Carlsbad, NM is March 27. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 13, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Carlsbad, NM?
The median first fall frost is November 7, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 26.
How long is the growing season in Carlsbad, NM?
About 225 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Carlsbad, NM?
Carlsbad, NM is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.