Continental Divide, NM frost dates
Last spring frostJun 5median date
First fall frostSep 25median date
Growing season112 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Continental Divide compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Continental Divide falls between May 21 and June 22, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 10 and October 6.
- The median last frost is 33 days later than the New Mexico median of May 3.
- Its 112-day growing season is longer than 4% of the 349 New Mexico places with a regular frost season (state median 164 days).
- The last frost is 37 days later than the zone 6a median of Apr 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 225 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 21 |
| 50% (median) | June 5 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 22 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 10 |
| 50% (median) | September 25 |
| 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 Continental Divide, NM
Continental Divide, NM frost dates — last frost Jun 5, first frost Sep 25, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: Jun 19 to Jul 3
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: Jun 19 to Jul 3
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24Transplant outside: Jun 12 to Jun 26
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29Sow outdoors: May 8 to Jun 12Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Apr 24 to May 8Transplant outside: Jun 26 to Jul 10Sow outdoors: Jun 26 to Jul 10
Start indoors: Apr 24 to May 8Transplant outside: Jun 12 to Jun 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 15Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 15Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: May 1 to Jun 12Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Start indoors: May 8 to May 15Transplant outside: Jun 19 to Jun 26Sow outdoors: Jun 12 to Jun 26
Start indoors: May 8 to May 15Sow outdoors: Jun 12 to Jun 26Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Start indoors: May 8 to May 15Sow outdoors: Jun 12 to Jun 26
Start indoors: May 8 to May 15Transplant outside: Jun 19 to Jul 3
Sow outdoors: May 15 to Jun 12Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 17
Sow outdoors: May 15 to Jun 12Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: May 15 to Jun 5
Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 19Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 12Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Jun 12 to Jul 3
Sow outdoors: Jun 12 to Jun 26
Transplant outside: Jun 19 to Jul 10
Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 16
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Continental Divide, NM
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Jun 19 – Jul 3 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Jun 19 – Jul 3 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Jun 12 – Jun 26 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | May 15 – May 29 | May 8 – Jun 12 | Jul 31 – Aug 28 |
| Kale | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | May 8 – May 22 | May 8 – May 22 | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Broccoli | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Cabbage | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Okra | Apr 24 – May 8 | Jun 26 – Jul 10 | Jun 26 – Jul 10 | — |
| Basil | Apr 24 – May 8 | Jun 12 – Jun 26 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 24 – May 15 | Jul 3 – Jul 24 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 24 – May 15 | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Radishes | — | — | May 1 – Jun 12 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Cucumbers | May 8 – May 15 | Jun 19 – Jun 26 | Jun 12 – Jun 26 | — |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | May 8 – May 15 | — | Jun 12 – Jun 26 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins Warning: Your frost-free season is about 112 days, which is tight for winter squash & pumpkins (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | May 8 – May 15 | — | Jun 12 – Jun 26 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | May 8 – May 15 | Jun 19 – Jul 3 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 15 – Jun 12 | Jul 3 – Jul 17 |
| Beets | — | — | May 15 – Jun 12 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 15 – Jun 5 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 22 – Jun 19 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 22 – Jun 12 | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Jun 12 – Jul 3 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Jun 12 – Jun 26 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes Warning: Your frost-free season is about 112 days, which is tight for sweet potatoes (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | — | Jun 19 – Jul 10 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 11 – Oct 16 |
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 Mcgaffey 5 Se, NM weather station, 15 km away (elevation 7,999 ft (2,438 m)).
Frost dates near Continental Divide
- Jamestown May 29 · Sep 26
- Smith Lake May 29 · Sep 26
- Yatahey May 29 · Sep 26
- Thoreau May 29 · Sep 26
- Fort Wingate May 11 · Oct 7
- Prewitt May 29 · Sep 26
- Church Rock May 11 · Oct 7
- Rehoboth May 11 · Oct 7
- Vanderwagen May 11 · Oct 7
- Ramah Jun 3 · Sep 27
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Continental Divide, NM?
The median last spring frost in Continental Divide, NM is June 5. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 22, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Continental Divide, NM?
The median first fall frost is September 25, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 10.
How long is the growing season in Continental Divide, NM?
About 112 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Continental Divide, NM?
Continental Divide, NM is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.