Dexter, NM frost dates
Last spring frostMar 29median date
First fall frostNov 7median date
Growing season223 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Dexter compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Dexter falls between March 8 and April 15, a 38-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 26 and November 19.
- The median last frost is 35 days earlier than the New Mexico median of May 3.
- Its 223-day growing season is longer than 88% of the 349 New Mexico places with a regular frost season (state median 164 days).
- The last frost is 7 days earlier 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 87 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 8 |
| 50% (median) | March 29 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 15 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 26 |
| 50% (median) | November 7 |
| 90% (late) | November 19 |
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 Dexter, NM
Dexter, NM frost dates — last frost Mar 29, first frost Nov 7, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 4 to Jan 18Transplant outside: Mar 1 to Mar 15
Start indoors: Jan 18 to Feb 1Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Start indoors: Jan 18 to Feb 1Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 10
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 1 to Mar 15Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 3
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Sow outdoors: Feb 15 to Mar 8Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 15 to Mar 8Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 3
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 17
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 8Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 8Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Transplant outside: Apr 12 to May 3
Plant for fall: Oct 24 to Nov 28
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Dexter, NM
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 4 – Jan 18 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Mar 1 – Apr 5 | Sep 12 – Oct 10 |
| Kale | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Broccoli | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Cabbage | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | — | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Okra | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 19 – May 3 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — |
| Basil | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 8 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 8 | Sep 12 – Oct 3 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 22 – Apr 5 | Sep 26 – Oct 17 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 1 – Mar 8 | Apr 12 – Apr 19 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 1 – Mar 8 | — | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 1 – Mar 8 | — | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 1 – Mar 8 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 8 – Apr 5 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 8 – Apr 5 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 8 – Mar 29 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 12 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | Sep 12 – Oct 3 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 24 – Nov 28 |
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 Roswell Ind Air Pk, NM weather station, 17 km away (elevation 3,648 ft (1,112 m)).
Frost dates near Dexter
- Hagerman Mar 29 · Nov 7
- Roswell Mar 29 · Nov 7
- Lake Arthur Apr 11 · Oct 29
- Artesia Apr 11 · Oct 29
- Roswell (Chaves) Apr 20 · Oct 20
- Hope Apr 1 · Nov 6
- Loco Hills Apr 11 · Oct 29
- Lakewood Apr 11 · Oct 29
- Maljamar Mar 28 · Nov 13
- Caprock Apr 14 · Oct 28
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Dexter, NM?
The median last spring frost in Dexter, NM is March 29. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 15, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Dexter, NM?
The median first fall frost is November 7, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 26.
How long is the growing season in Dexter, NM?
About 223 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Dexter, NM?
Dexter, NM is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.