Picacho, NM frost dates
Last spring frostApr 19median date
First fall frostOct 25median date
Growing season189 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Picacho compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Picacho falls between April 4 and May 2, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 11 and November 5.
- The median last frost is 14 days earlier than the New Mexico median of May 3.
- Its 189-day growing season is longer than 70% of the 349 New Mexico places with a regular frost season (state median 164 days).
- The last frost is 14 days later than the zone 7b median of Apr 5. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 107 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 4 |
| 50% (median) | April 19 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 2 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 11 |
| 50% (median) | October 25 |
| 90% (late) | November 5 |
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 Picacho, NM
Picacho, NM frost dates — last frost Apr 19, first frost Oct 25, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 3 to May 10Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10
Transplant outside: May 3 to May 24
Plant for fall: Oct 11 to Nov 15
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Picacho, NM
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Mar 22 – Apr 26 | Aug 30 – Sep 27 |
| Kale | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Broccoli | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Okra | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | May 10 – May 24 | May 10 – May 24 | — |
| Basil | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 8 – Mar 29 | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 8 – Mar 29 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 26 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | May 3 – May 10 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 26 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 26 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 19 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 5 – May 3 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 26 – May 17 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 3 – May 24 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 11 – Nov 15 |
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 Picacho, NM weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 4,990 ft (1,521 m)).
Frost dates near Picacho
- Tinnie Apr 19 · Oct 25
- Hondo Apr 19 · Oct 25
- San Patricio Apr 19 · Oct 25
- Lincoln May 3 · Oct 12
- Glencoe May 11 · Oct 5
- Ruidoso Downs May 11 · Oct 5
- Fort Stanton May 3 · Oct 12
- Capitan May 3 · Oct 12
- Ruidoso May 11 · Oct 5
- Alto May 11 · Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Picacho, NM?
The median last spring frost in Picacho, NM is April 19. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 2, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Picacho, NM?
The median first fall frost is October 25, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 11.
How long is the growing season in Picacho, NM?
About 189 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Picacho, NM?
Picacho, NM is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.