Cochiti Lake, NM frost dates
Last spring frostApr 26median date
First fall frostOct 21median date
Growing season178 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Cochiti Lake compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Cochiti Lake falls between April 13 and May 8, a 25-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 8 and November 3.
- The median last frost is 7 days earlier than the New Mexico median of May 3.
- Its 178-day growing season is longer than 59% of the 349 New Mexico places with a regular frost season (state median 164 days).
- The last frost is 10 days later than the zone 7a median of Apr 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 137 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Santa Fe, NM, 35 km away, the last frost here is 18 days earlier than there and the growing season is 33 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 13 |
| 50% (median) | April 26 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 8 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 8 |
| 50% (median) | October 21 |
| 90% (late) | November 3 |
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 Cochiti Lake, NM
Cochiti Lake, NM frost dates — last frost Apr 26, first frost Oct 21, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31Sow outdoors: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to May 3Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 10 to May 17Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 3Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 24Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17
Transplant outside: May 10 to May 31
Plant for fall: Oct 7 to Nov 11
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Cochiti Lake, NM
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Mar 29 – May 3 | Aug 26 – Sep 23 |
| Kale | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Broccoli | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Okra | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | May 17 – May 31 | May 17 – May 31 | — |
| Basil | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 22 – May 3 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | May 10 – May 17 | May 3 – May 17 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | — | May 3 – May 17 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | — | May 3 – May 17 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 5 – May 3 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 5 – May 3 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 12 – May 10 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 3 – May 24 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 3 – May 17 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 10 – May 31 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 7 – Nov 11 |
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 Cochiti Dam, NM weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 5,561 ft (1,695 m)).
Frost dates near Cochiti Lake
- Cochiti Pueblo Apr 26 · Oct 21
- Pena Blanca Apr 26 · Oct 21
- Santo Domingo Pueblo Apr 26 · Oct 21
- White Rock May 2 · Oct 12
- Los Alamos May 2 · Oct 12
- Algodones Apr 16 · Oct 23
- Ponderosa May 9 · Oct 11
- Cerrillos May 4 · Oct 15
- Jemez Pueblo May 9 · Oct 11
- Santa Fe May 14 · Oct 6
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Cochiti Lake, NM?
The median last spring frost in Cochiti Lake, NM is April 26. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 8, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Cochiti Lake, NM?
The median first fall frost is October 21, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 8.
How long is the growing season in Cochiti Lake, NM?
About 178 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Cochiti Lake, NM?
Cochiti Lake, NM is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.