Hillsboro, NM frost dates
Last spring frostApr 23median date
First fall frostOct 23median date
Growing season183 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Hillsboro compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Hillsboro falls between April 5 and May 7, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 13 and November 3.
- The median last frost is 10 days earlier than the New Mexico median of May 3.
- Its 183-day growing season is longer than 66% of the 349 New Mexico places with a regular frost season (state median 164 days).
- The last frost is 25 days later 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 108 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Las Cruces, NM, 101 km away, the last frost here is 42 days later than there and the growing season is 63 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 5 |
| 50% (median) | April 23 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 7 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 13 |
| 50% (median) | October 23 |
| 90% (late) | November 3 |
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 Hillsboro, NM
Hillsboro, NM frost dates — last frost Apr 23, first frost Oct 23, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 2
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 7 to May 14Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 21Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14
Transplant outside: May 7 to May 28
Plant for fall: Oct 9 to Nov 13
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Hillsboro, NM
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Mar 26 – Apr 30 | Aug 28 – Sep 25 |
| Kale | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Broccoli | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Okra | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | May 14 – May 28 | May 14 – May 28 | — |
| Basil | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 30 | Sep 11 – Oct 2 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 14 | Apr 30 – May 14 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 30 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 30 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 23 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 9 – May 7 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 30 – May 21 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 7 – May 28 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 9 – Nov 13 |
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 Hillsboro, NM weather station, 6 km away (elevation 5,266 ft (1,605 m)).
Frost dates near Hillsboro
- Caballo Mar 25 · Nov 6
- Arrey Mar 25 · Nov 6
- Hanover Apr 4 · Nov 8
- Derry Mar 25 · Nov 6
- Mimbres Apr 4 · Nov 8
- Williamsburg Mar 30 · Nov 5
- Garfield Mar 25 · Nov 6
- Fort Bayard Apr 4 · Nov 8
- Winston May 10 · Oct 8
- Truth Or Consequences Mar 30 · Nov 5
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Hillsboro, NM?
The median last spring frost in Hillsboro, NM is April 23. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 7, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Hillsboro, NM?
The median first fall frost is October 23, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 13.
How long is the growing season in Hillsboro, NM?
About 183 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Hillsboro, NM?
Hillsboro, NM is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.