Fence Lake, NM frost dates
Last spring frostMay 31median date
First fall frostOct 1median date
Growing season123 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Fence Lake compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Fence Lake falls between May 15 and June 15, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 18 and October 13.
- The median last frost is 28 days later than the New Mexico median of May 3.
- Its 123-day growing season is longer than 15% of the 349 New Mexico places with a regular frost season (state median 164 days).
- The last frost is 32 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 192 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 15 |
| 50% (median) | May 31 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 15 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 18 |
| 50% (median) | October 1 |
| 90% (late) | October 13 |
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 Fence Lake, NM
Fence Lake, NM frost dates — last frost May 31, first frost Oct 1, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: Jun 14 to Jun 28
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: Jun 14 to Jun 28
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Transplant outside: Jun 7 to Jun 21
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24Sow outdoors: May 3 to Jun 7Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31Plant for fall: Jun 25 to Jul 16
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24Plant for fall: Jun 25 to Jul 16
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31Plant for fall: Jun 25 to Jul 16
Start indoors: Apr 19 to May 3Transplant outside: Jun 21 to Jul 5Sow outdoors: Jun 21 to Jul 5
Start indoors: Apr 19 to May 3Transplant outside: Jun 7 to Jun 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 10Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to Jun 7Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Start indoors: May 3 to May 10Transplant outside: Jun 14 to Jun 21Sow outdoors: Jun 7 to Jun 21Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Jul 30
Start indoors: May 3 to May 10Sow outdoors: Jun 7 to Jun 21Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Start indoors: May 3 to May 10Sow outdoors: Jun 7 to Jun 21
Start indoors: May 3 to May 10Transplant outside: Jun 14 to Jun 28
Sow outdoors: May 10 to Jun 7Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 23
Sow outdoors: May 10 to Jun 7Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 31
Sow outdoors: May 17 to Jun 14Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: May 17 to Jun 7Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Jun 7 to Jun 28Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Jul 30
Sow outdoors: Jun 7 to Jun 21
Transplant outside: Jun 14 to Jul 5
Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 22
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Fence Lake, NM
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Jun 14 – Jun 28 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Jun 14 – Jun 28 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | May 10 – May 24 | May 3 – Jun 7 | Aug 6 – Sep 3 |
| Kale | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | May 3 – May 17 | May 3 – May 17 | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Broccoli | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | May 17 – May 31 | — | Jun 25 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | May 10 – May 24 | — | Jun 25 – Jul 16 |
| Cauliflower | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | May 17 – May 31 | — | Jun 25 – Jul 16 |
| Okra | Apr 19 – May 3 | Jun 21 – Jul 5 | Jun 21 – Jul 5 | — |
| Basil | Apr 19 – May 3 | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 19 – May 10 | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 19 – May 10 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 26 – Jun 7 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Cucumbers | May 3 – May 10 | Jun 14 – Jun 21 | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | Jul 16 – Jul 30 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | May 3 – May 10 | — | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | May 3 – May 10 | — | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | May 3 – May 10 | Jun 14 – Jun 28 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 10 – Jun 7 | Jul 9 – Jul 23 |
| Beets | — | — | May 10 – Jun 7 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 10 – May 31 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 17 – Jun 14 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 17 – Jun 7 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Jun 7 – Jun 28 | Jul 16 – Jul 30 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 14 – Jul 5 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 17 – Oct 22 |
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 Fence Lake, NM weather station, 9 km away (elevation 7,064 ft (2,153 m)).
Frost dates near Fence Lake
- Pinehill Jun 3 · Sep 27
- Zuni May 29 · Oct 2
- Ramah Jun 3 · Sep 27
- Quemado Jun 1 · Sep 29
- Pie Town Jun 1 · Sep 29
- Vanderwagen May 11 · Oct 7
- Continental Divide Jun 5 · Sep 25
- Gallup May 31 · Sep 28
- San Rafael May 17 · Oct 3
- Mentmore May 31 · Sep 28
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Fence Lake, NM?
The median last spring frost in Fence Lake, NM is May 31. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 15, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Fence Lake, NM?
The median first fall frost is October 1, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 18.
How long is the growing season in Fence Lake, NM?
About 123 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Fence Lake, NM?
Fence Lake, NM is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.