Fall in zone 6aPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 87016 (Estancia, NM)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Estancia 4N, NM (5 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMay 1850% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 150% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)135 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone6a-10 to -5°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
59°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 57°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Los Lunas PMC (42 mi), Sevilleta (47 mi), Adams Ranch #1 (49 mi).
4-inch depth
59°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 58°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Los Lunas PMC (42 mi), Sevilleta (47 mi), Adams Ranch #1 (49 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 87016 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 59°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): window open as soil cools through the 70s and 60s.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: Mountain West and High Plains. Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Kentucky bluegrass (cool-season): Early fall: Around Labor Day (late August–September); Late fall: Late October–November, before the ground freezes; Late spring: Optional around Memorial Day. Avoid: Early-spring and midsummer feeding (pushes top growth, favors crabgrass).
Plant now
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | May 5 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | May 18 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Jun 2 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Sep 21 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 1 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 15 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Jun 1 | Sep 24 |
| 32°F (freeze) | May 18 | Oct 1 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | May 5 | Oct 10 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 87016
Dates count from your average last spring frost (May 18) and first fall frost (Oct 1). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 23–Apr 6 | May 25–Jun 8 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Mar 9–23 | Jun 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Mar 9–23 | Jun 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Mar 23–Apr 6 | May 25–Jun 8 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Mar 23–Apr 6 | Apr 27–May 18 (transplant) Apr 20–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | Aug 6–27 (transplant) Jul 23–Aug 20 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Apr 6–27 (sow outdoors) | Aug 6–27 (sowing) |
| Kale | Mar 23–Apr 6 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) Apr 20–May 4 (sow outdoors) | Jul 9–Aug 6 (transplant) Jun 25–Jul 23 (sowing) |
| Collards | Mar 23–Apr 6 | Apr 20–May 18 (transplant) Apr 20–May 18 (sow outdoors) | Jul 9–Aug 6 (transplant) Jun 25–Jul 23 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Mar 9–23 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | Jun 25–Jul 23 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Mar 9–23 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | Jun 25–Jul 23 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Mar 9–23 | May 4–18 (transplant) | Jun 25–Jul 23 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Feb 23–Mar 9 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | Jun 11–Jul 2 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 23–Apr 6 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) Apr 20–May 4 (sow outdoors) | Jul 23–Aug 6 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Apr 20–May 4 (sow outdoors) | Aug 6–20 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Apr 20–May 18 (sow outdoors) | Aug 6–Sep 3 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Apr 20–May 11 (sow outdoors) | Aug 6–20 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Apr 6–20 | May 4–25 (transplant) May 4–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | Jul 23–Aug 6 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Apr 20–May 18 (sow outdoors) | Jul 23–Aug 6 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Apr 27–May 25 (sow outdoors) | Jul 9–23 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Apr 13–May 25 (sow outdoors) | Aug 20–Sep 3 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Apr 20–May 11 (sow outdoors) | Jul 23–Aug 6 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Apr 27–May 18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Mar 23–Apr 20 (sow outdoors) | Jul 9–23 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Feb 23–Mar 9 | Apr 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Apr 6–May 4 (sow outdoors) | Jul 23–Aug 6 (sowing) |
| Leek | Feb 23–Mar 9 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Aug 20–Sep 17 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Apr 6–20 (transplant) | Aug 20–Sep 17 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | Jun 11–25 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jun 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | May 25–Jun 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | May 25–Jun 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | May 25–Jun 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Jun 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jun 8–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Apr 20–27 | May 25–Jun 8 (transplant) May 25–Jun 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Apr 20–27 | May 25–Jun 8 (transplant) May 25–Jun 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Apr 20–27 | May 25–Jun 8 (transplant) May 25–Jun 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | May 25–Jun 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Apr 20–27 | Jun 1–15 (transplant) Jun 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Apr 20–27 | Jun 1–15 (transplant) Jun 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Apr 6–20 | Jun 1–15 (transplant) Jun 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Feb 23–Mar 9 | May 25–Jun 1 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Apr 6–20 | May 25–Jun 8 (transplant) May 25–Jun 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | May 4–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | Aug 6–20 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Mar 9–23 | May 4–18 (transplant) Apr 27–May 18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | May 18–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | Aug 6–20 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | May 18–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | Jul 23–Aug 20 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Estancia 4N, NM (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00293060), elevation 6,140 ft, 4.9 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moriarty 1 NE, NM | 18 mi | May 14 | Oct 4 |
| Mountainair 8NW, NM | 19 mi | May 7 | Oct 9 |
| Mountainair, NM | 21 mi | May 2 | Oct 19 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 16 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 87016
When is the last frost in 87016?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 87016 is May 18. For a more cautious planting date, use June 2, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 87016?
The average first fall freeze is October 1. In 1 year in 10 it comes by September 21.
What hardiness zone is 87016?
ZIP 87016 is in USDA zone 6a (-10 to -5°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 87016 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
87032 McIntosh 87035 Moriarty 87063 Willard 87061 Torreon 87059 Ponderosa Pine 87015 Edgewood 87070 87056 Stanley
Other ZIP codes in Torrance County
87032 87035 87036 87061 87063 87070 88321 All Torrance County frost dates · New Mexico frost dates
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.