Jal, NM frost dates
Last spring frostMar 31median date
First fall frostNov 3median date
Growing season217 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Jal compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Jal falls between March 12 and April 19, a 38-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 19 and November 17.
- The median last frost is 33 days earlier than the New Mexico median of May 3.
- Its 217-day growing season is longer than 84% of the 349 New Mexico places with a regular frost season (state median 164 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 8a, where the median is Mar 29.
- The weather station records an average of 77 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Odessa, TX, 83 km away, the last frost here is 16 days later than there and the growing season is 29 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 12 |
| 50% (median) | March 31 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 19 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 19 |
| 50% (median) | November 3 |
| 90% (late) | November 17 |
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 Jal, NM
Jal, NM frost dates — last frost Mar 31, first frost Nov 3, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Oct 6
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 13
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Transplant outside: Apr 14 to May 5
Plant for fall: Oct 20 to Nov 24
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Jal, NM
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Mar 3 – Apr 7 | Sep 8 – Oct 6 |
| Kale | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Broccoli | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Cabbage | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Okra | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 21 – May 5 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — |
| Basil | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 10 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 10 | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 24 – Apr 7 | Sep 22 – Oct 13 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 10 – Apr 7 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 10 – Apr 7 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 31 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 14 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 20 – Nov 24 |
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 Jal, NM weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 3,054 ft (931 m)).
Frost dates near Jal
- Eunice Mar 28 · Nov 10
- Monument Mar 28 · Nov 13
- Hobbs Mar 28 · Nov 10
- Malaga Mar 17 · Nov 12
- Loving Mar 17 · Nov 12
- Lovington Mar 28 · Nov 13
- Maljamar Mar 28 · Nov 13
- Carlsbad Mar 27 · Nov 7
- Loco Hills Apr 11 · Oct 29
- Whites City Apr 2 · Nov 11
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Jal, NM?
The median last spring frost in Jal, NM is March 31. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 19, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Jal, NM?
The median first fall frost is November 3, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 19.
How long is the growing season in Jal, NM?
About 217 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Jal, NM?
Jal, NM is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.