Cerro, NM frost dates
Last spring frostMay 31median date
First fall frostSep 26median date
Growing season118 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Cerro compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Cerro falls between May 17 and June 13, a 27-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 14 and October 6.
- The median last frost is 28 days later than the New Mexico median of May 3.
- Its 118-day growing season is longer than 5% of the 349 New Mexico places with a regular frost season (state median 164 days).
- The last frost is 30 days later than the zone 5b median of May 1. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 5b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 206 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 17 |
| 50% (median) | May 31 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 13 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 14 |
| 50% (median) | September 26 |
| 90% (late) | October 6 |
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 Cerro, NM
Cerro, NM frost dates — last frost May 31, first frost Sep 26, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: Jun 14 to Jun 28
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: Jun 14 to Jun 28
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Transplant outside: Jun 7 to Jun 21
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24Sow outdoors: May 3 to Jun 7Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31Plant for fall: Jun 20 to Jul 11
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24Plant for fall: Jun 20 to Jul 11
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31Plant for fall: Jun 20 to Jul 11
Start indoors: Apr 19 to May 3Transplant outside: Jun 21 to Jul 5Sow outdoors: Jun 21 to Jul 5
Start indoors: Apr 19 to May 3Transplant outside: Jun 7 to Jun 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 10Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to Jun 7Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: May 3 to May 10Transplant outside: Jun 14 to Jun 21Sow outdoors: Jun 7 to Jun 21Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Jul 25
Start indoors: May 3 to May 10Sow outdoors: Jun 7 to Jun 21Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Start indoors: May 3 to May 10Sow outdoors: Jun 7 to Jun 21
Start indoors: May 3 to May 10Transplant outside: Jun 14 to Jun 28
Sow outdoors: May 10 to Jun 7Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 18
Sow outdoors: May 10 to Jun 7Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 31
Sow outdoors: May 17 to Jun 14Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: May 17 to Jun 7Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Jun 7 to Jun 28
Sow outdoors: Jun 7 to Jun 21
Transplant outside: Jun 14 to Jul 5
Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 17
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Cerro, NM
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Jun 14 – Jun 28 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Jun 14 – Jun 28 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | May 10 – May 24 | May 3 – Jun 7 | Aug 1 – Aug 29 |
| Kale | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | May 3 – May 17 | May 3 – May 17 | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Broccoli | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | May 17 – May 31 | — | Jun 20 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | May 10 – May 24 | — | Jun 20 – Jul 11 |
| Cauliflower | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | May 17 – May 31 | — | Jun 20 – Jul 11 |
| Okra | Apr 19 – May 3 | Jun 21 – Jul 5 | Jun 21 – Jul 5 | — |
| Basil | Apr 19 – May 3 | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 19 – May 10 | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 19 – May 10 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 26 – Jun 7 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Cucumbers | May 3 – May 10 | Jun 14 – Jun 21 | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | Jul 11 – Jul 25 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | May 3 – May 10 | — | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | May 3 – May 10 | — | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | May 3 – May 10 | Jun 14 – Jun 28 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 10 – Jun 7 | Jul 4 – Jul 18 |
| Beets | — | — | May 10 – Jun 7 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 10 – May 31 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 17 – Jun 14 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 17 – Jun 7 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Jun 7 – Jun 28 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 14 – Jul 5 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 12 – Oct 17 |
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 Cerro, NM weather station, 2 km away (elevation 7,651 ft (2,332 m)).
Frost dates near Cerro
- Questa May 31 · Sep 26
- San Cristobal May 31 · Sep 26
- Red River Jun 19 · Sep 7
- Arroyo Hondo May 31 · Sep 26
- Costilla May 31 · Sep 26
- Valdez May 31 · Sep 26
- Taos Ski Valley Jun 19 · Sep 7
- Amalia May 31 · Sep 26
- Arroyo Seco May 19 · Oct 3
- Tres Piedras May 31 · Sep 28
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Cerro, NM?
The median last spring frost in Cerro, NM is May 31. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 13, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Cerro, NM?
The median first fall frost is September 26, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 14.
How long is the growing season in Cerro, NM?
About 118 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Cerro, NM?
Cerro, NM is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.