Elephant Butte, NM frost dates
Last spring frostMar 22median date
First fall frostNov 9median date
Growing season232 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Elephant Butte compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Elephant Butte falls between March 4 and April 10, a 37-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 27 and November 22.
- The median last frost is 42 days earlier than the New Mexico median of May 3.
- Its 232-day growing season is longer than 93% 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 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 71 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Las Cruces, NM, 101 km away, the last frost here is 10 days later than there and the growing season is 14 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 4 |
| 50% (median) | March 22 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 10 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 27 |
| 50% (median) | November 9 |
| 90% (late) | November 22 |
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 Elephant Butte, NM
Elephant Butte, NM frost dates — last frost Mar 22, first frost Nov 9, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 28 to Jan 11Start indoors: Dec 28 to Jan 11Transplant outside: Feb 22 to Mar 8
Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Mar 1 to Mar 15Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 12
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Feb 22 to Mar 8Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Mar 1 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12
Sow outdoors: Feb 8 to Mar 1Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Feb 8 to Mar 1Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Sep 28 to Oct 19
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 1Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 1Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Mar 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12
Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 26
Plant for fall: Oct 26 to Nov 30
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Elephant Butte, NM
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 28 – Jan 11 | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Feb 22 – Mar 29 | Sep 14 – Oct 12 |
| Kale | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Broccoli | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Cabbage | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Okra | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — |
| Basil | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 8 – Mar 1 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 8 – Mar 1 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 29 | Sep 28 – Oct 19 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 22 – Mar 1 | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 22 – Mar 1 | — | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 22 – Mar 1 | — | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 22 – Mar 1 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 1 – Mar 29 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 1 – Mar 29 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 1 – Mar 22 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 8 – Apr 5 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 8 – Mar 29 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 19 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 26 – Nov 30 |
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 Truth Or Consequence Ap, NM weather station, 5 km away (elevation 4,849 ft (1,478 m)).
Frost dates near Elephant Butte
- Truth Or Consequences Mar 30 · Nov 5
- Williamsburg Mar 30 · Nov 5
- Monticello May 10 · Oct 8
- Caballo Mar 25 · Nov 6
- Spaceport City Mar 13 · Nov 15
- Arrey Mar 25 · Nov 6
- Winston May 10 · Oct 8
- Derry Mar 25 · Nov 6
- Hillsboro Apr 23 · Oct 23
- Garfield Mar 25 · Nov 6
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Elephant Butte, NM?
The median last spring frost in Elephant Butte, NM is March 22. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 10, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Elephant Butte, NM?
The median first fall frost is November 9, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 27.
How long is the growing season in Elephant Butte, NM?
About 232 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Elephant Butte, NM?
Elephant Butte, NM is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.