Vallecitos, NM frost dates
Last spring frostMay 31median date
First fall frostSep 28median date
Growing season120 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Vallecitos compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Vallecitos falls between May 18 and June 18, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 15 and October 7.
- The median last frost is 28 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 39 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 216 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Santa Fe, NM, 101 km away, the last frost here is 17 days later than there and the growing season is 25 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 18 |
| 50% (median) | May 31 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 18 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 15 |
| 50% (median) | September 28 |
| 90% (late) | October 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 Vallecitos, NM
Vallecitos, NM frost dates — last frost May 31, first frost Sep 28, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: Jun 14 to Jun 28
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: Jun 14 to Jun 28
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Transplant outside: Jun 7 to Jun 21
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24Sow outdoors: May 3 to Jun 7Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31Plant for fall: Jun 22 to Jul 13
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24Plant for fall: Jun 22 to Jul 13
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31Plant for fall: Jun 22 to Jul 13
Start indoors: Apr 19 to May 3Transplant outside: Jun 21 to Jul 5Sow outdoors: Jun 21 to Jul 5
Start indoors: Apr 19 to May 3Transplant outside: Jun 7 to Jun 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 10Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to Jun 7Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Start indoors: May 3 to May 10Transplant outside: Jun 14 to Jun 21Sow outdoors: Jun 7 to Jun 21Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Jul 27
Start indoors: May 3 to May 10Sow outdoors: Jun 7 to Jun 21Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Start indoors: May 3 to May 10Sow outdoors: Jun 7 to Jun 21
Start indoors: May 3 to May 10Transplant outside: Jun 14 to Jun 28
Sow outdoors: May 10 to Jun 7Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 20
Sow outdoors: May 10 to Jun 7Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 31
Sow outdoors: May 17 to Jun 14Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: May 17 to Jun 7Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Jun 7 to Jun 28Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Jul 27
Sow outdoors: Jun 7 to Jun 21
Transplant outside: Jun 14 to Jul 5
Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 19
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Vallecitos, NM
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Jun 14 – Jun 28 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Jun 14 – Jun 28 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | May 10 – May 24 | May 3 – Jun 7 | Aug 3 – Aug 31 |
| Kale | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | May 3 – May 17 | May 3 – May 17 | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Broccoli | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | May 17 – May 31 | — | Jun 22 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | May 10 – May 24 | — | Jun 22 – Jul 13 |
| Cauliflower | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | May 17 – May 31 | — | Jun 22 – Jul 13 |
| Okra | Apr 19 – May 3 | Jun 21 – Jul 5 | Jun 21 – Jul 5 | — |
| Basil | Apr 19 – May 3 | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 19 – May 10 | Jul 6 – Jul 27 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 19 – May 10 | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 26 – Jun 7 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Cucumbers | May 3 – May 10 | Jun 14 – Jun 21 | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | Jul 13 – Jul 27 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | May 3 – May 10 | — | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | May 3 – May 10 | — | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | May 3 – May 10 | Jun 14 – Jun 28 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 10 – Jun 7 | Jul 6 – Jul 20 |
| Beets | — | — | May 10 – Jun 7 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 10 – May 31 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 17 – Jun 14 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 17 – Jun 7 | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Jun 7 – Jun 28 | Jul 13 – Jul 27 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 14 – Jul 5 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 14 – Oct 19 |
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 Tres Piedras, NM weather station, 21 km away (elevation 8,140 ft (2,481 m)).
Frost dates near Vallecitos
- Petaca May 31 · Sep 28
- El Rito May 15 · Oct 7
- Tres Piedras May 31 · Sep 28
- Ojo Caliente May 15 · Oct 7
- Canjilon Apr 29 · Oct 16
- Carson May 19 · Oct 3
- Medanales May 10 · Oct 4
- Cebolla Jun 13 · Sep 18
- La Madera Jun 13 · Sep 18
- Abiquiu Apr 29 · Oct 16
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Vallecitos, NM?
The median last spring frost in Vallecitos, NM is May 31. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 18, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Vallecitos, NM?
The median first fall frost is September 28, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 15.
How long is the growing season in Vallecitos, NM?
About 120 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Vallecitos, NM?
Vallecitos, NM is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.