Montezuma, NM frost dates
Last spring frostMay 24median date
First fall frostSep 30median date
Growing season129 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Montezuma compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Montezuma falls between May 9 and June 6, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 20 and October 11.
- The median last frost is 21 days later than the New Mexico median of May 3.
- Its 129-day growing season is longer than 17% 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 6b median of Apr 22. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 203 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Santa Fe, NM, 62 km away, the last frost here is 10 days later than there and the growing season is 16 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 9 |
| 50% (median) | May 24 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 6 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 20 |
| 50% (median) | September 30 |
| 90% (late) | October 11 |
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 Montezuma, NM
Montezuma, NM frost dates — last frost May 24, first frost Sep 30, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: Jun 7 to Jun 21
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: Jun 7 to Jun 21
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 31 to Jun 14
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 31Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24Plant for fall: Jun 24 to Jul 15
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17Plant for fall: Jun 24 to Jul 15
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24Plant for fall: Jun 24 to Jul 15
Start indoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Transplant outside: Jun 14 to Jun 28Sow outdoors: Jun 14 to Jun 28
Start indoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Transplant outside: May 31 to Jun 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 31Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Apr 26 to May 3Transplant outside: Jun 7 to Jun 14Sow outdoors: May 31 to Jun 14Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Apr 26 to May 3Sow outdoors: May 31 to Jun 14Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Apr 26 to May 3Sow outdoors: May 31 to Jun 14
Start indoors: Apr 26 to May 3Transplant outside: Jun 7 to Jun 21
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 31Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 22
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 31Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 5
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 24
Sow outdoors: May 10 to Jun 7Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 5
Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 31Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: May 31 to Jun 21Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Jul 29
Sow outdoors: May 31 to Jun 14
Transplant outside: Jun 7 to Jun 28
Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Oct 21
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Montezuma, NM
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 31 – Jun 14 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 3 – May 17 | Apr 26 – May 31 | Aug 5 – Sep 2 |
| Kale | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Broccoli | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 10 – May 24 | — | Jun 24 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 3 – May 17 | — | Jun 24 – Jul 15 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 10 – May 24 | — | Jun 24 – Jul 15 |
| Okra | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Jun 14 – Jun 28 | Jun 14 – Jun 28 | — |
| Basil | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | May 31 – Jun 14 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 19 – May 31 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 26 – May 3 | Jun 7 – Jun 14 | May 31 – Jun 14 | Jul 15 – Jul 29 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 26 – May 3 | — | May 31 – Jun 14 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 26 – May 3 | — | May 31 – Jun 14 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 26 – May 3 | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 3 – May 31 | Jul 8 – Jul 22 |
| Beets | — | — | May 3 – May 31 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 3 – May 24 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 10 – Jun 7 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 10 – May 31 | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 31 – Jun 21 | Jul 15 – Jul 29 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 31 – Jun 14 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 7 – Jun 28 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 16 – Oct 21 |
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 Las Vegas Wwtp, NM weather station, 11 km away (elevation 6,348 ft (1,935 m)).
Frost dates near Montezuma
- Las Vegas May 24 · Sep 30
- Rociada May 28 · Sep 26
- Sapello May 10 · Oct 7
- San Jose Apr 24 · Oct 20
- Serafina Apr 24 · Oct 20
- Buena Vista May 28 · Sep 26
- Watrous May 18 · Oct 1
- Mora May 28 · Sep 26
- Ilfeld May 15 · Oct 3
- Valmora May 18 · Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Montezuma, NM?
The median last spring frost in Montezuma, NM is May 24. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 6, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Montezuma, NM?
The median first fall frost is September 30, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 20.
How long is the growing season in Montezuma, NM?
About 129 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Montezuma, NM?
Montezuma, NM is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.