Pecos, NM frost dates
Last spring frostMay 15median date
First fall frostOct 3median date
Growing season141 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Pecos compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Pecos falls between May 2 and May 31, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 19 and October 15.
- The median last frost is 12 days later than the New Mexico median of May 3.
- Its 141-day growing season is longer than 26% of the 349 New Mexico places with a regular frost season (state median 164 days).
- The last frost is 23 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 174 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Santa Fe, NM, 27 km away, the last frost here is 1 day later than there and the growing season is 4 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 2 |
| 50% (median) | May 15 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 31 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 19 |
| 50% (median) | October 3 |
| 90% (late) | October 15 |
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 Pecos, NM
Pecos, NM frost dates — last frost May 15, first frost Oct 3, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 12
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 12
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 22Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Jun 27 to Jul 18
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Jun 27 to Jul 18
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Jun 27 to Jul 18
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Transplant outside: Jun 5 to Jun 19Sow outdoors: Jun 5 to Jun 19
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 22Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Apr 17 to Apr 24Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 5Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Apr 17 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Apr 17 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Apr 17 to Apr 24Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Jul 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 15
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 22Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 12Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 5
Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 19
Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 24
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Pecos, NM
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 29 – Jun 12 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 29 – Jun 12 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Apr 24 – May 8 | Apr 17 – May 22 | Aug 8 – Sep 5 |
| Kale | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Apr 17 – May 1 | Apr 17 – May 1 | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Broccoli | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 1 – May 15 | — | Jun 27 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | Jun 27 – Jul 18 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 1 – May 15 | — | Jun 27 – Jul 18 |
| Okra | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | — |
| Basil | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 10 – May 22 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 17 – Apr 24 | May 29 – Jun 5 | May 22 – Jun 5 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 17 – Apr 24 | — | May 22 – Jun 5 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 17 – Apr 24 | — | May 22 – Jun 5 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 17 – Apr 24 | May 29 – Jun 12 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 24 – May 22 | Jul 11 – Jul 25 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 24 – May 22 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 24 – May 15 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 1 – May 29 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 1 – May 22 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 22 – Jun 12 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 22 – Jun 5 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 29 – Jun 19 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 19 – Oct 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 Pecos Nm, NM weather station, 3 km away (elevation 6,877 ft (2,096 m)).
Frost dates near Pecos
- Glorieta May 15 · Oct 3
- Rowe May 15 · Oct 3
- Ilfeld May 15 · Oct 3
- Tererro May 28 · Sep 26
- San Jose Apr 24 · Oct 20
- Santa Fe May 14 · Oct 6
- Lamy May 2 · Oct 17
- Ribera Apr 24 · Oct 20
- Tesuque May 14 · Oct 6
- Montezuma May 24 · Sep 30
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Pecos, NM?
The median last spring frost in Pecos, NM is May 15. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 31, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Pecos, NM?
The median first fall frost is October 3, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 19.
How long is the growing season in Pecos, NM?
About 141 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Pecos, NM?
Pecos, NM is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.