Chama, NM frost dates
Last spring frostJun 14median date
First fall frostSep 18median date
Growing season96 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Chama compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Chama falls between June 1 and June 30, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 7 and September 29.
- The median last frost is 42 days later than the New Mexico median of May 3.
- Its 96-day growing season is among the shortest of the 349 New Mexico places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is 44 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 231 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | June 1 |
| 50% (median) | June 14 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 30 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 7 |
| 50% (median) | September 18 |
| 90% (late) | September 29 |
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 Chama, NM
Chama, NM frost dates — last frost Jun 14, first frost Sep 18, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Transplant outside: Jun 28 to Jul 12
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Transplant outside: Jun 28 to Jul 12
Start indoors: Apr 19 to May 3Transplant outside: Jun 21 to Jul 5
Start indoors: Apr 19 to May 3Transplant outside: May 24 to Jun 7Sow outdoors: May 17 to Jun 21Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Apr 19 to May 3Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31Sow outdoors: May 17 to May 31Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Apr 19 to May 3Transplant outside: May 31 to Jun 14
Start indoors: Apr 19 to May 3Transplant outside: May 24 to Jun 7
Start indoors: Apr 19 to May 3Transplant outside: May 31 to Jun 14
Start indoors: May 3 to May 17Transplant outside: Jul 5 to Jul 19Sow outdoors: Jul 5 to Jul 19
Start indoors: May 3 to May 17Transplant outside: Jun 21 to Jul 5
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 24
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 24Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: May 10 to Jun 21Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Start indoors: May 17 to May 24Transplant outside: Jun 28 to Jul 5Sow outdoors: Jun 21 to Jul 5
Start indoors: May 17 to May 24Sow outdoors: Jun 21 to Jul 5
Start indoors: May 17 to May 24Sow outdoors: Jun 21 to Jul 5
Start indoors: May 17 to May 24Transplant outside: Jun 28 to Jul 12
Sow outdoors: May 24 to Jun 21
Sow outdoors: May 24 to Jun 21Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 24
Sow outdoors: May 24 to Jun 14
Sow outdoors: May 31 to Jun 28
Sow outdoors: May 31 to Jun 21Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Jun 21 to Jul 12
Sow outdoors: Jun 21 to Jul 5
Transplant outside: Jun 28 to Jul 19
Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Oct 9
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Chama, NM
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Peppers | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Jun 28 – Jul 12 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Jun 28 – Jul 12 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Apr 19 – May 3 | Jun 21 – Jul 5 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 19 – May 3 | May 24 – Jun 7 | May 17 – Jun 21 | Jul 24 – Aug 21 |
| Kale | Apr 19 – May 3 | May 17 – May 31 | May 17 – May 31 | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Broccoli | Apr 19 – May 3 | May 31 – Jun 14 | — | — |
| Cabbage | Apr 19 – May 3 | May 24 – Jun 7 | — | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 19 – May 3 | May 31 – Jun 14 | — | — |
| Okra | May 3 – May 17 | Jul 5 – Jul 19 | Jul 5 – Jul 19 | — |
| Basil | May 3 – May 17 | Jun 21 – Jul 5 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | May 3 – May 24 | — |
| Spinach | — | — | May 3 – May 24 | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Radishes | — | — | May 10 – Jun 21 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Cucumbers | May 17 – May 24 | Jun 28 – Jul 5 | Jun 21 – Jul 5 | — |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | May 17 – May 24 | — | Jun 21 – Jul 5 | — |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins Warning: Your frost-free season is about 96 days, which is tight for winter squash & pumpkins (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | May 17 – May 24 | — | Jun 21 – Jul 5 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon Warning: Your frost-free season is about 96 days, which is tight for melons & watermelon (85+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | May 17 – May 24 | Jun 28 – Jul 12 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 24 – Jun 21 | — |
| Beets | — | — | May 24 – Jun 21 | Jul 10 – Jul 24 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 24 – Jun 14 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 31 – Jun 28 | — |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 31 – Jun 21 | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Jun 21 – Jul 12 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Jun 21 – Jul 5 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes Warning: Your frost-free season is about 96 days, which is tight for sweet potatoes (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | — | Jun 28 – Jul 19 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 4 – Oct 9 |
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 Chama, NM weather station, 2 km away (elevation 7,851 ft (2,393 m)).
Frost dates near Chama
- Los Ojos Jun 11 · Sep 20
- Tierra Amarilla Jun 11 · Sep 20
- Dulce Jun 9 · Sep 22
- Cebolla Jun 13 · Sep 18
- La Madera Jun 13 · Sep 18
- Canjilon Apr 29 · Oct 16
- Vallecitos May 31 · Sep 28
- Tres Piedras May 31 · Sep 28
- Gallina May 28 · Sep 27
- Petaca May 31 · Sep 28
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Chama, NM?
The median last spring frost in Chama, NM is June 14. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 30, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Chama, NM?
The median first fall frost is September 18, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 7.
How long is the growing season in Chama, NM?
About 96 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Chama, NM?
Chama, NM is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.