Willard, NM frost dates
Last spring frostMay 2median date
First fall frostOct 19median date
Growing season170 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Willard compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Willard falls between April 18 and May 18, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 4 and November 1.
- The median last frost is 1 day earlier than the New Mexico median of May 3.
- Its 170-day growing season is longer than 54% of the 349 New Mexico places with a regular frost season (state median 164 days).
- The last frost is 10 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 153 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Albuquerque, NM, 79 km away, the last frost here is 26 days later than there and the growing season is 41 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 18 |
| 50% (median) | May 2 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 18 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 4 |
| 50% (median) | October 19 |
| 90% (late) | November 1 |
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 Willard, NM
Willard, NM frost dates — last frost May 2, first frost Oct 19, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to May 9Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 28
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 23Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 30Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Transplant outside: May 16 to Jun 6
Plant for fall: Oct 5 to Nov 9
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Willard, NM
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Apr 4 – May 9 | Aug 24 – Sep 21 |
| Kale | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Broccoli | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Okra | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 23 – Jun 6 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — |
| Basil | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 28 – May 9 | Sep 7 – Sep 28 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 23 | May 9 – May 23 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | May 9 – May 23 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 18 – May 16 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 9 – May 30 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 16 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 5 – Nov 9 |
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 Mountainair, NM weather station, 22 km away (elevation 6,519 ft (1,987 m)).
Frost dates near Willard
- Mountainair May 2 · Oct 19
- Estancia May 18 · Oct 1
- Torreon May 7 · Oct 9
- Mcintosh May 18 · Oct 1
- Cedarvale Apr 29 · Oct 20
- Moriarty May 14 · Oct 4
- Encino May 9 · Oct 6
- Claunch Apr 29 · Oct 20
- Edgewood May 14 · Oct 4
- Tijeras May 9 · Oct 9
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Willard, NM?
The median last spring frost in Willard, NM is May 2. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 18, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Willard, NM?
The median first fall frost is October 19, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 4.
How long is the growing season in Willard, NM?
About 170 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Willard, NM?
Willard, NM is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.