Cliff, NM frost dates
Last spring frostMay 9median date
First fall frostOct 15median date
Growing season159 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Cliff compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Cliff falls between April 28 and May 24, a 26-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 3 and October 27.
- The median last frost is 6 days later than the New Mexico median of May 3.
- Its 159-day growing season is longer than 45% of the 349 New Mexico places with a regular frost season (state median 164 days).
- The last frost is 34 days later than the zone 7b median of Apr 5. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7b 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 28 |
| 50% (median) | May 9 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 24 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 3 |
| 50% (median) | October 15 |
| 90% (late) | October 27 |
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 Cliff, NM
Cliff, NM frost dates — last frost May 9, first frost Oct 15, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 13Sow outdoors: May 30 to Jun 13
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 16Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Apr 11 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 23 to May 30Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Apr 11 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Apr 11 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Apr 11 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 16Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: May 16 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30
Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 13
Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Nov 5
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Cliff, NM
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Apr 11 – May 16 | Aug 20 – Sep 17 |
| Kale | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Broccoli | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Okra | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | May 30 – Jun 13 | May 30 – Jun 13 | — |
| Basil | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 4 – May 16 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | May 23 – May 30 | May 16 – May 30 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | — | May 16 – May 30 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | — | May 16 – May 30 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 18 – May 16 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 18 – May 16 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 25 – May 23 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 25 – May 16 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 16 – Jun 6 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 16 – May 30 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 23 – Jun 13 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 1 – Nov 5 |
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 Cliff 11 Se, NM weather station, 17 km away (elevation 4,774 ft (1,455 m)).
Frost dates near Cliff
- Gila May 9 · Oct 15
- Buckhorn May 9 · Oct 15
- Mule Creek May 6 · Oct 18
- Redrock Apr 30 · Oct 23
- Pinos Altos Apr 4 · Nov 8
- Tyrone Apr 4 · Nov 8
- Glenwood May 6 · Oct 18
- Silver City Apr 4 · Nov 8
- Arenas Valley Apr 4 · Nov 8
- Santa Clara Apr 4 · Nov 8
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Cliff, NM?
The median last spring frost in Cliff, NM is May 9. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 24, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Cliff, NM?
The median first fall frost is October 15, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 3.
How long is the growing season in Cliff, NM?
About 159 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Cliff, NM?
Cliff, NM is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.