Thoreau, NM frost dates
Last spring frostMay 29median date
First fall frostSep 26median date
Growing season120 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Thoreau compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Thoreau falls between May 11 and June 12, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 13 and October 6.
- The median last frost is 26 days later than the New Mexico median of May 3.
- Its 120-day growing season is longer than 7% of the 349 New Mexico places with a regular frost season (state median 164 days).
- The last frost is 30 days later than the zone 6a median of Apr 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 205 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 11 |
| 50% (median) | May 29 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 12 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 13 |
| 50% (median) | September 26 |
| 90% (late) | October 6 |
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 Thoreau, NM
Thoreau, NM frost dates — last frost May 29, first frost Sep 26, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: Jun 12 to Jun 26
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: Jun 12 to Jun 26
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Transplant outside: Jun 5 to Jun 19
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22Sow outdoors: May 1 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29Plant for fall: Jun 20 to Jul 11
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Jun 20 to Jul 11
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29Plant for fall: Jun 20 to Jul 11
Start indoors: Apr 17 to May 1Transplant outside: Jun 19 to Jul 3Sow outdoors: Jun 19 to Jul 3
Start indoors: Apr 17 to May 1Transplant outside: Jun 5 to Jun 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 8Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: May 1 to May 8Transplant outside: Jun 12 to Jun 19Sow outdoors: Jun 5 to Jun 19Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Jul 25
Start indoors: May 1 to May 8Sow outdoors: Jun 5 to Jun 19Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Start indoors: May 1 to May 8Sow outdoors: Jun 5 to Jun 19
Start indoors: May 1 to May 8Transplant outside: Jun 12 to Jun 26
Sow outdoors: May 8 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 18
Sow outdoors: May 8 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 29
Sow outdoors: May 15 to Jun 12Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: May 15 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Jun 5 to Jun 26Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Jul 25
Sow outdoors: Jun 5 to Jun 19
Transplant outside: Jun 12 to Jul 3
Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 17
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Thoreau, NM
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Jun 12 – Jun 26 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Jun 12 – Jun 26 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | May 8 – May 22 | May 1 – Jun 5 | Aug 1 – Aug 29 |
| Kale | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | May 1 – May 15 | May 1 – May 15 | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Broccoli | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | May 15 – May 29 | — | Jun 20 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | May 8 – May 22 | — | Jun 20 – Jul 11 |
| Cauliflower | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | May 15 – May 29 | — | Jun 20 – Jul 11 |
| Okra | Apr 17 – May 1 | Jun 19 – Jul 3 | Jun 19 – Jul 3 | — |
| Basil | Apr 17 – May 1 | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 24 – Jun 5 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Cucumbers | May 1 – May 8 | Jun 12 – Jun 19 | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | Jul 11 – Jul 25 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | May 1 – May 8 | — | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | May 1 – May 8 | — | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | May 1 – May 8 | Jun 12 – Jun 26 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 8 – Jun 5 | Jul 4 – Jul 18 |
| Beets | — | — | May 8 – Jun 5 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 8 – May 29 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 15 – Jun 12 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 15 – Jun 5 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Jun 5 – Jun 26 | Jul 11 – Jul 25 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 12 – Jul 3 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 12 – Oct 17 |
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 Thoreau 12 Se, NM weather station, 11 km away (elevation 7,425 ft (2,263 m)).
Frost dates near Thoreau
- Prewitt May 29 · Sep 26
- Jamestown May 29 · Sep 26
- Smith Lake May 29 · Sep 26
- Yatahey May 29 · Sep 26
- Continental Divide Jun 5 · Sep 25
- Bluewater May 17 · Oct 3
- Fort Wingate May 11 · Oct 7
- Milan May 17 · Oct 3
- Crownpoint May 28 · Sep 27
- Grants May 17 · Oct 3
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Thoreau, NM?
The median last spring frost in Thoreau, NM is May 29. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 12, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Thoreau, NM?
The median first fall frost is September 26, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 13.
How long is the growing season in Thoreau, NM?
About 120 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Thoreau, NM?
Thoreau, NM is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.