Columbus, NM frost dates
Last spring frostMar 18median date
First fall frostNov 11median date
Growing season238 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Columbus compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Columbus falls between February 28 and April 6, a 37-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 29 and November 24.
- The median last frost is 46 days earlier than the New Mexico median of May 3.
- Its 238-day growing season is longer than 94% of the 349 New Mexico places with a regular frost season (state median 164 days).
- The last frost is 11 days earlier than the zone 8a median of Mar 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 60 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Las Cruces, NM, 102 km away, the last frost here is 6 days later than there and the growing season is 8 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 28 |
| 50% (median) | March 18 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 6 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 29 |
| 50% (median) | November 11 |
| 90% (late) | November 24 |
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 Columbus, NM
Columbus, NM frost dates — last frost Mar 18, first frost Nov 11, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 24 to Jan 7Start indoors: Dec 24 to Jan 7Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 4
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Feb 25 to Mar 11Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Oct 14
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 4Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Feb 25 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Feb 25Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Feb 25Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Oct 7
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Sep 30 to Oct 21
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Feb 25Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Feb 25Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Oct 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 22
Plant for fall: Oct 28 to Dec 2
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Columbus, NM
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 24 – Jan 7 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Feb 18 – Mar 25 | Sep 16 – Oct 14 |
| Kale | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Broccoli | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Cabbage | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | — | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Okra | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — |
| Basil | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 4 – Feb 25 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 4 – Feb 25 | Sep 16 – Oct 7 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 25 | Sep 30 – Oct 21 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 18 – Feb 25 | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 18 – Feb 25 | — | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Sep 2 – Sep 16 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 18 – Feb 25 | — | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 18 – Feb 25 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 25 – Mar 25 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 25 – Mar 25 | Sep 2 – Sep 16 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 25 – Mar 18 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 4 – Apr 1 | Sep 2 – Sep 16 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 4 – Mar 25 | Sep 16 – Oct 7 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 28 – Dec 2 |
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 Columbus, NM weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 4,065 ft (1,239 m)).
Frost dates near Columbus
- Deming Apr 7 · Nov 3
- Hachita Apr 23 · Oct 27
- La Mesa Mar 12 · Nov 13
- Fairacres Mar 12 · Nov 13
- Faywood Apr 21 · Oct 31
- Santa Teresa Mar 23 · Nov 11
- Mesilla Mar 12 · Nov 13
- San Miguel Mar 12 · Nov 13
- Chamberino Feb 28 · Nov 20
- Playas Apr 2 · Nov 7
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Columbus, NM?
The median last spring frost in Columbus, NM is March 18. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 6, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Columbus, NM?
The median first fall frost is November 11, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 29.
How long is the growing season in Columbus, NM?
About 238 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Columbus, NM?
Columbus, NM is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.