Frost dates for 88013 — Las Cruces, NM
Last spring frostApr 24median date
First fall frostOct 24median date
Growing season183 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Las Cruces compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Las Cruces falls between April 6 and May 8, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 10 and November 7.
- The median last frost is 9 days earlier than the New Mexico median of May 3.
- Its 183-day growing season is longer than 66% of the 349 New Mexico places with a regular frost season (state median 164 days).
- The last frost is 19 days later than the zone 7b median of Apr 5. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 116 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with El Paso, TX, 104 km away, the last frost here is 53 days later than there and the growing season is 80 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 6 |
| 50% (median) | April 24 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 8 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 10 |
| 50% (median) | October 24 |
| 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 Las Cruces, NM
Frost dates for 88013 — Las Cruces, NM — last frost Apr 24, first frost Oct 24, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to May 1Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 3
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 8 to May 15Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 22Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15
Transplant outside: May 8 to May 29
Plant for fall: Oct 10 to Nov 14
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Las Cruces, NM
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Mar 27 – May 1 | Aug 29 – Sep 26 |
| Kale | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Broccoli | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Okra | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 15 – May 29 | May 15 – May 29 | — |
| Basil | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 3 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 3 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 20 – May 1 | Sep 12 – Oct 3 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 15 | May 1 – May 15 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | — | May 1 – May 15 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | — | May 1 – May 15 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 3 – May 1 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 3 – May 1 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 1 – May 22 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 1 – May 15 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 8 – May 29 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 10 – Nov 14 |
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 Las Cruces 20 N, NM weather station, 4 km away (elevation 4,327 ft (1,319 m)).
ZIP codes in Las Cruces: 88001 88003 88004 88005 88006 88007 88011 88012 88013
Frost dates near Las Cruces
- Radium Springs Apr 24 · Oct 24
- Dona Ana Mar 12 · Nov 13
- Organ Mar 12 · Nov 13
- Rincon Apr 24 · Oct 24
- Fairacres Mar 12 · Nov 13
- White Sands Missile Range Mar 12 · Nov 13
- Mesilla Mar 12 · Nov 13
- Hatch Mar 25 · Nov 6
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Las Cruces, NM?
The median last spring frost in Las Cruces, NM is April 24. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 8, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Las Cruces, NM?
The median first fall frost is October 24, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 10.
How long is the growing season in Las Cruces, NM?
About 183 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Las Cruces, NM?
Las Cruces, NM is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.