Tularosa, NM frost dates
Last spring frostApr 5median date
First fall frostNov 4median date
Growing season213 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Tularosa compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Tularosa falls between March 17 and April 22, a 36-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 20 and November 19.
- The median last frost is 28 days earlier than the New Mexico median of May 3.
- Its 213-day growing season is longer than 83% of the 349 New Mexico places with a regular frost season (state median 164 days).
- The last frost is 7 days later than the zone 8a median of Mar 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 73 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Las Cruces, NM, 104 km away, the last frost here is 24 days later than there and the growing season is 33 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 17 |
| 50% (median) | April 5 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 22 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 20 |
| 50% (median) | November 4 |
| 90% (late) | November 19 |
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 Tularosa, NM
Tularosa, NM frost dates — last frost Apr 5, first frost Nov 4, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Oct 7
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 14
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 19 to Apr 26Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 15Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 15Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 10
Plant for fall: Oct 21 to Nov 25
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Tularosa, NM
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Mar 8 – Apr 12 | Sep 9 – Oct 7 |
| Kale | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Broccoli | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Cabbage | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Okra | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — |
| Basil | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 22 – Mar 15 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 22 – Mar 15 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 1 – Apr 12 | Sep 23 – Oct 14 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | — | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | — | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 12 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 12 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 19 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 19 – May 10 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 21 – Nov 25 |
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 Tularosa, NM weather station, 3 km away (elevation 4,423 ft (1,348 m)).
Frost dates near Tularosa
- La Luz Mar 9 · Nov 18
- Bent Apr 5 · Nov 4
- Alamogordo Mar 9 · Nov 18
- High Rolls Mountain Park Apr 30 · Oct 21
- Holloman Air Force Base Apr 22 · Oct 22
- Mescalero May 11 · Oct 5
- Sunspot Apr 30 · Oct 21
- Cloudcroft May 18 · Oct 1
- Ruidoso May 11 · Oct 5
- Sacramento May 18 · Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Tularosa, NM?
The median last spring frost in Tularosa, NM is April 5. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 22, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Tularosa, NM?
The median first fall frost is November 4, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 20.
How long is the growing season in Tularosa, NM?
About 213 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Tularosa, NM?
Tularosa, NM is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.