Portales, NM frost dates
Last spring frostApr 15median date
First fall frostOct 26median date
Growing season194 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Portales compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Portales falls between March 30 and April 30, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 12 and November 7.
- The median last frost is 18 days earlier than the New Mexico median of May 3.
- Its 194-day growing season is longer than 77% of the 349 New Mexico places with a regular frost season (state median 164 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 7a, where the median is Apr 16.
- The weather station records an average of 104 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 30 |
| 50% (median) | April 15 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 30 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 12 |
| 50% (median) | October 26 |
| 90% (late) | November 7 |
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 Portales, NM
Portales, NM frost dates — last frost Apr 15, first frost Oct 26, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 28
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 6Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Mar 25Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Mar 25Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6
Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 20
Plant for fall: Oct 12 to Nov 16
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Portales, NM
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Mar 18 – Apr 22 | Aug 31 – Sep 28 |
| Kale | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Broccoli | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Okra | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20 | May 6 – May 20 | — |
| Basil | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 4 – Mar 25 | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 4 – Mar 25 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 22 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | Apr 29 – May 6 | Apr 22 – May 6 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | — | Apr 22 – May 6 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | — | Apr 22 – May 6 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 22 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 22 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 29 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 22 – May 13 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 22 – May 6 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 29 – May 20 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 12 – Nov 16 |
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 Portales, NM weather station, 2 km away (elevation 4,009 ft (1,222 m)).
Frost dates near Portales
- Cannon Afb Apr 14 · Oct 29
- Floyd Apr 17 · Oct 26
- Dora Apr 23 · Oct 21
- Clovis Apr 14 · Oct 29
- Rogers Apr 23 · Oct 21
- Texico Apr 14 · Oct 29
- Saint Vrain Apr 17 · Oct 26
- Elida Apr 21 · Oct 23
- Pep Apr 21 · Oct 23
- Melrose Apr 17 · Oct 26
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Portales, NM?
The median last spring frost in Portales, NM is April 15. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 30, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Portales, NM?
The median first fall frost is October 26, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 12.
How long is the growing season in Portales, NM?
About 194 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Portales, NM?
Portales, NM is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.