Frost dates for 88203 — Roswell, NM
Last spring frostApr 13median date
First fall frostOct 30median date
Growing season200 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Roswell compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Roswell falls between March 31 and April 28, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 16 and November 11.
- The median last frost is 20 days earlier than the New Mexico median of May 3.
- Its 200-day growing season is longer than 79% of the 349 New Mexico places with a regular frost season (state median 164 days).
- The last frost is 8 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 115 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 31 |
| 50% (median) | April 13 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 28 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 16 |
| 50% (median) | October 30 |
| 90% (late) | November 11 |
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 Roswell, NM
Frost dates for 88203 — Roswell, NM — last frost Apr 13, first frost Oct 30, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Oct 2
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 9
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 4Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 23Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 23Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 4
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 4
Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 18
Plant for fall: Oct 16 to Nov 20
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Roswell, NM
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Mar 16 – Apr 20 | Sep 4 – Oct 2 |
| Kale | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Broccoli | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Okra | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 4 – May 18 | May 4 – May 18 | — |
| Basil | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 23 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 23 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 9 – Apr 20 | Sep 18 – Oct 9 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 16 – Mar 23 | Apr 27 – May 4 | Apr 20 – May 4 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 16 – Mar 23 | — | Apr 20 – May 4 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 16 – Mar 23 | — | Apr 20 – May 4 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 16 – Mar 23 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 20 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 20 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 27 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 20 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 20 – May 11 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 20 – May 4 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 27 – May 18 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 16 – Nov 20 |
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 Roswell Climat, NM weather station, 2 km away (elevation 3,606 ft (1,099 m)).
ZIP codes in Roswell: 88202 88203
Frost dates near Roswell
- Dexter Mar 29 · Nov 7
- Roswell (Chaves) Apr 20 · Oct 20
- Hagerman Mar 29 · Nov 7
- Lake Arthur Apr 11 · Oct 29
- Picacho Apr 19 · Oct 25
- Hope Apr 1 · Nov 6
- Tinnie Apr 19 · Oct 25
- Artesia Apr 11 · Oct 29
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Roswell, NM?
The median last spring frost in Roswell, NM is April 13. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 28, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Roswell, NM?
The median first fall frost is October 30, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 16.
How long is the growing season in Roswell, NM?
About 200 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Roswell, NM?
Roswell, NM is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.