El Rito, NM frost dates
Last spring frostMay 15median date
First fall frostOct 7median date
Growing season145 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How El Rito compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in El Rito falls between April 30 and June 4, a 35-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 23 and October 18.
- The median last frost is 12 days later than the New Mexico median of May 3.
- Its 145-day growing season is longer than 29% of the 349 New Mexico places with a regular frost season (state median 164 days).
- The last frost is 29 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 167 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Santa Fe, NM, 85 km away, the last frost here is 1 day later than there and the growing season is the same length.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 30 |
| 50% (median) | May 15 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 4 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 23 |
| 50% (median) | October 7 |
| 90% (late) | October 18 |
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 El Rito, NM
El Rito, NM frost dates — last frost May 15, first frost Oct 7, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 12
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 12
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 22Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Jul 1 to Jul 22
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Jul 1 to Jul 22
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Jul 1 to Jul 22
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Transplant outside: Jun 5 to Jun 19Sow outdoors: Jun 5 to Jun 19
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 22Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Apr 17 to Apr 24Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 5Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Apr 17 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Apr 17 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Apr 17 to Apr 24Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Jul 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 15
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 22Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 12Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 5
Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 5
Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 19
Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 28
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in El Rito, NM
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 29 – Jun 12 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 29 – Jun 12 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Apr 24 – May 8 | Apr 17 – May 22 | Aug 12 – Sep 9 |
| Kale | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Apr 17 – May 1 | Apr 17 – May 1 | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Broccoli | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 1 – May 15 | — | Jul 1 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | Jul 1 – Jul 22 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 1 – May 15 | — | Jul 1 – Jul 22 |
| Okra | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | — |
| Basil | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 10 – May 22 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 17 – Apr 24 | May 29 – Jun 5 | May 22 – Jun 5 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 17 – Apr 24 | — | May 22 – Jun 5 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 17 – Apr 24 | — | May 22 – Jun 5 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 17 – Apr 24 | May 29 – Jun 12 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 24 – May 22 | Jul 15 – Jul 29 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 24 – May 22 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 24 – May 15 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 1 – May 29 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 1 – May 22 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 22 – Jun 12 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 22 – Jun 5 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 29 – Jun 19 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 23 – Oct 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 El Rito, NM weather station, 3 km away (elevation 6,870 ft (2,094 m)).
Frost dates near El Rito
- Vallecitos May 31 · Sep 28
- Ojo Caliente May 15 · Oct 7
- Abiquiu Apr 29 · Oct 16
- Medanales May 10 · Oct 4
- Canjilon Apr 29 · Oct 16
- Petaca May 31 · Sep 28
- Canones Apr 29 · Oct 16
- Velarde May 10 · Oct 4
- Hernandez May 10 · Oct 4
- Embudo May 10 · Oct 4
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in El Rito, NM?
The median last spring frost in El Rito, NM is May 15. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 4, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in El Rito, NM?
The median first fall frost is October 7, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 23.
How long is the growing season in El Rito, NM?
About 145 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is El Rito, NM?
El Rito, NM is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.