Mesquite, NM frost dates
Last spring frostMar 12median date
First fall frostNov 13median date
Growing season246 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Mesquite compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Mesquite falls between February 23 and April 2, a 38-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 30 and November 24.
- The median last frost is 52 days earlier than the New Mexico median of May 3.
- Its 246-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 4 days earlier than the zone 8b median of Mar 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 69 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Mesquite shares its weather station with Las Cruces, NM, 28 km away, so the two have the same frost dates.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 23 |
| 50% (median) | March 12 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 2 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 30 |
| 50% (median) | November 13 |
| 90% (late) | November 24 |
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 Mesquite, NM
Mesquite, NM frost dates — last frost Mar 12, first frost Nov 13, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 18 to Jan 1Start indoors: Dec 18 to Jan 1Transplant outside: Feb 12 to Feb 26
Start indoors: Jan 1 to Jan 15Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Start indoors: Jan 1 to Jan 15Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Feb 19 to Mar 5Sow outdoors: Feb 12 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 16
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Feb 12 to Feb 26Sow outdoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Feb 19 to Mar 5Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2
Sow outdoors: Jan 29 to Feb 19Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Jan 29 to Feb 19Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 9
Sow outdoors: Feb 5 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Oct 23
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 19Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 19Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 12
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2
Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 16
Plant for fall: Oct 30 to Dec 4
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Mesquite, NM
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Feb 12 – Mar 19 | Sep 18 – Oct 16 |
| Kale | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Broccoli | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Cabbage | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | — | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Okra | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — |
| Basil | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 29 – Feb 19 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 29 – Feb 19 | Sep 18 – Oct 9 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 5 – Mar 19 | Oct 2 – Oct 23 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 12 – Feb 19 | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 12 – Feb 19 | — | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Sep 4 – Sep 18 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 12 – Feb 19 | — | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 12 – Feb 19 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 19 – Mar 19 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 19 – Mar 19 | Sep 4 – Sep 18 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 19 – Mar 12 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 26 | Sep 4 – Sep 18 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 19 | Sep 18 – Oct 9 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 26 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 30 – Dec 4 |
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 State Univ, NM weather station, 17 km away (elevation 3,888 ft (1,185 m)).
Frost dates near Mesquite
- Vado Feb 28 · Nov 20
- San Miguel Mar 12 · Nov 13
- Mesilla Park Mar 12 · Nov 13
- Berino Feb 28 · Nov 20
- Chamberino Feb 28 · Nov 20
- La Mesa Mar 12 · Nov 13
- Anthony Feb 28 · Nov 20
- Mesilla Mar 12 · Nov 13
- Fairacres Mar 12 · Nov 13
- Las Cruces Mar 12 · Nov 13
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Mesquite, NM?
The median last spring frost in Mesquite, NM is March 12. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 2, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Mesquite, NM?
The median first fall frost is November 13, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 30.
How long is the growing season in Mesquite, NM?
About 246 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Mesquite, NM?
Mesquite, NM is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.