Malaga, NM frost dates
Last spring frostMar 17median date
First fall frostNov 12median date
Growing season240 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Malaga compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Malaga falls between February 28 and April 5, a 36-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 29 and November 26.
- The median last frost is 47 days earlier than the New Mexico median of May 3.
- Its 240-day growing season is longer than 95% of the 349 New Mexico places with a regular frost season (state median 164 days).
- The last frost is 12 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 75 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 28 |
| 50% (median) | March 17 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 5 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 29 |
| 50% (median) | November 12 |
| 90% (late) | November 26 |
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 Malaga, NM
Malaga, NM frost dates — last frost Mar 17, first frost Nov 12, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 23 to Jan 6Start indoors: Dec 23 to Jan 6Transplant outside: Feb 17 to Mar 3
Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Feb 24 to Mar 10Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 15
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Feb 17 to Mar 3Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Feb 24 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7
Sow outdoors: Feb 3 to Feb 24Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Feb 3 to Feb 24Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Oct 22
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Feb 24Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Feb 24Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7
Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 21
Plant for fall: Oct 29 to Dec 3
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Malaga, NM
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 23 – Jan 6 | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Feb 17 – Mar 24 | Sep 17 – Oct 15 |
| Kale | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Broccoli | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | — | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Cabbage | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | — | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | — | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Okra | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — |
| Basil | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 3 – Feb 24 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 3 – Feb 24 | Sep 17 – Oct 8 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 10 – Mar 24 | Oct 1 – Oct 22 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 17 – Feb 24 | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 17 – Feb 24 | — | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 17 – Feb 24 | — | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 17 – Feb 24 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 24 – Mar 24 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 24 – Mar 24 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 24 – Mar 17 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 31 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 24 | Sep 17 – Oct 8 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 14 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 29 – Dec 3 |
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 Carlsbad, NM weather station, 24 km away (elevation 3,120 ft (951 m)).
Frost dates near Malaga
- Loving Mar 17 · Nov 12
- Carlsbad Mar 27 · Nov 7
- Whites City Apr 2 · Nov 11
- Lakewood Apr 11 · Oct 29
- Loco Hills Apr 11 · Oct 29
- Artesia Apr 11 · Oct 29
- Maljamar Mar 28 · Nov 13
- Jal Mar 31 · Nov 3
- Monument Mar 28 · Nov 13
- Eunice Mar 28 · Nov 10
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Malaga, NM?
The median last spring frost in Malaga, NM is March 17. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 5, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Malaga, NM?
The median first fall frost is November 12, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 29.
How long is the growing season in Malaga, NM?
About 240 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Malaga, NM?
Malaga, NM is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.