Fall in zone 6aPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 87322 (Sundance, 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, Gallup Sand & Gravel, NM (4 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMay 1150% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 750% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)148 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
51°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 51°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Thoreau (28 mi).
4-inch depth
52°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 52°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Thoreau (28 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 87322 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 52°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent window is mostly past. Next: spring, when soil reaches 50°F (typically mid-April to mid-May).
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) | Apr 30 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | May 11 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | May 26 |
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 27 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 7 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 20 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | May 25 | Oct 1 |
| 32°F (freeze) | May 11 | Oct 7 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Apr 29 | Oct 17 |
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 87322
Dates count from your average last spring frost (May 11) and first fall frost (Oct 7). 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 16–30 | May 18–Jun 1 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Mar 2–16 | May 25–Jun 8 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Mar 2–16 | May 25–Jun 8 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Mar 16–30 | May 18–Jun 1 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Mar 16–30 | Apr 20–May 11 (transplant) Apr 13–May 25 (sow outdoors) | Aug 12–Sep 2 (transplant) Jul 29–Aug 26 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Mar 30–Apr 20 (sow outdoors) | Aug 12–Sep 2 (sowing) |
| Kale | Mar 16–30 | Apr 13–27 (transplant) Apr 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Jul 15–Aug 12 (transplant) Jul 1–29 (sowing) |
| Collards | Mar 16–30 | Apr 13–May 11 (transplant) Apr 13–May 11 (sow outdoors) | Jul 15–Aug 12 (transplant) Jul 1–29 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Mar 2–16 | Apr 13–27 (transplant) | Jul 1–29 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Mar 2–16 | Apr 13–27 (transplant) | Jul 1–29 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Mar 2–16 | Apr 27–May 11 (transplant) | Jul 1–29 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Feb 16–Mar 2 | Apr 13–27 (transplant) | Jun 17–Jul 8 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 16–30 | Apr 13–27 (transplant) Apr 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Jul 29–Aug 12 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Apr 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Aug 12–26 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Apr 13–May 11 (sow outdoors) | Aug 12–Sep 9 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Apr 13–May 4 (sow outdoors) | Aug 12–26 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Mar 30–Apr 13 | Apr 27–May 18 (transplant) Apr 27–May 25 (sow outdoors) | Jul 29–Aug 12 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Apr 13–May 11 (sow outdoors) | Jul 29–Aug 12 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Apr 20–May 18 (sow outdoors) | Jul 15–29 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Apr 6–May 18 (sow outdoors) | Aug 26–Sep 9 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Apr 13–May 4 (sow outdoors) | Jul 29–Aug 12 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Apr 20–May 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Mar 16–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | Jul 15–29 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Feb 16–Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Mar 30–Apr 27 (sow outdoors) | Jul 29–Aug 12 (sowing) |
| Leek | Feb 16–Mar 2 | Apr 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Aug 26–Sep 23 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Mar 30–Apr 13 (transplant) | Aug 26–Sep 23 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Apr 13–27 (transplant) | Jun 17–Jul 1 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jun 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | May 18–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | May 18–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | May 18–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | May 25–Jun 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jun 1–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Apr 13–20 | May 18–Jun 1 (transplant) May 18–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Apr 13–20 | May 18–Jun 1 (transplant) May 18–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Apr 13–20 | May 18–Jun 1 (transplant) May 18–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | May 18–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Apr 13–20 | May 25–Jun 8 (transplant) May 25–Jun 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Apr 13–20 | May 25–Jun 8 (transplant) May 25–Jun 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Mar 30–Apr 13 | May 25–Jun 8 (transplant) May 25–Jun 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Feb 16–Mar 2 | May 18–25 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Mar 30–Apr 13 | May 18–Jun 1 (transplant) May 18–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Apr 27–May 25 (sow outdoors) | Aug 12–26 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Mar 2–16 | Apr 27–May 11 (transplant) Apr 20–May 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | May 11–25 (sow outdoors) | Aug 12–26 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | May 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Apr 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Apr 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Apr 13–27 (transplant) | Jul 29–Aug 26 (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: Gallup Sand & Gravel, NM (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00293428), elevation 6,577 ft, 3.7 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gallup Muni AP, NM | 8 mi | May 31 | Sep 28 |
| Mcgaffey 5 SE, NM | 16 mi | Jun 5 | Sep 25 |
| Window Rock AP, AZ | 25 mi | May 29 | Sep 28 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 25 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 87322
When is the last frost in 87322?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 87322 is May 11. For a more cautious planting date, use May 26, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 87322?
The average first fall freeze is October 7. In 1 year in 10 it comes by September 27.
What hardiness zone is 87322?
ZIP 87322 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 87322 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
87301 Gallup 87305 Pinehaven 87316 Iyanbito 87317 Gamerco 87311 Church Rock 87347 Jamestown 87375 Rock Springs 87319 Manuelito
Other ZIP codes in McKinley County
86515 87045 87301 87305 87310 87311 87312 87313 87316 87317 87319 87320 87323 87325 87326 87327 87347 87365 87375 All McKinley County frost dates · New Mexico frost dates
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- Freeze alerts
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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.