Fall in zone 6aPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 87323 (Thoreau, 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, Thoreau 12 SE, NM (11 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMay 2950% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostSep 2650% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)118 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
Measured at USDA NRCS SCAN station Thoreau, 4 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 53°, Fri 53°, Sat 51°.
4-inch depth
52°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 52°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Measured at USDA NRCS SCAN station Thoreau, 4 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 54°, Fri 54°, Sat 52°.
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 87323 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 52°F at 4 inches. 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) | May 11 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | May 29 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Jun 12 |
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 13 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Sep 26 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 6 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Jun 6 | Sep 17 |
| 32°F (freeze) | May 29 | Sep 26 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | May 15 | Oct 3 |
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 87323
Dates count from your average last spring frost (May 29) and first fall frost (Sep 26). 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 | Apr 3–17 | Jun 5–19 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Mar 20–Apr 3 | Jun 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Mar 20–Apr 3 | Jun 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Apr 3–17 | Jun 5–19 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Apr 3–17 | May 8–29 (transplant) May 1–Jun 12 (sow outdoors) | Aug 1–22 (transplant) Jul 18–Aug 15 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Apr 17–May 8 (sow outdoors) | Aug 1–22 (sowing) |
| Kale | Apr 3–17 | May 1–15 (transplant) May 1–15 (sow outdoors) | Jul 4–Aug 1 (transplant) Jun 20–Jul 18 (sowing) |
| Collards | Apr 3–17 | May 1–29 (transplant) May 1–29 (sow outdoors) | Jul 4–Aug 1 (transplant) Jun 20–Jul 18 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Mar 20–Apr 3 | May 1–15 (transplant) | Jun 20–Jul 18 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Mar 20–Apr 3 | May 1–15 (transplant) | Jun 20–Jul 18 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Mar 20–Apr 3 | May 15–29 (transplant) | Jun 20–Jul 18 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Mar 6–20 | May 1–15 (transplant) | Jun 6–27 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Apr 3–17 | May 1–15 (transplant) May 1–15 (sow outdoors) | Jul 18–Aug 1 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | May 1–15 (sow outdoors) | Aug 1–15 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | May 1–29 (sow outdoors) | Aug 1–29 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | May 1–22 (sow outdoors) | Aug 1–15 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Apr 17–May 1 | May 15–Jun 5 (transplant) May 15–Jun 12 (sow outdoors) | Jul 18–Aug 1 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | May 1–29 (sow outdoors) | Jul 18–Aug 1 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | May 8–Jun 5 (sow outdoors) | Jul 4–18 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Apr 24–Jun 5 (sow outdoors) | Aug 15–29 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | May 1–22 (sow outdoors) | Jul 18–Aug 1 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | May 8–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Apr 3–May 1 (sow outdoors) | Jul 4–18 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Mar 6–20 | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Apr 17–May 15 (sow outdoors) | Jul 18–Aug 1 (sowing) |
| Leek | Mar 6–20 | May 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Aug 15–Sep 12 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) | Aug 15–Sep 12 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | May 1–15 (transplant) | Jun 6–20 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jun 19–Jul 3 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Jun 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Jun 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | Jun 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Jun 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jun 19–Jul 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | May 1–8 | Jun 5–19 (transplant) Jun 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | May 1–8 | Jun 5–19 (transplant) Jun 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | May 1–8 | Jun 5–19 (transplant) Jun 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Jun 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | May 1–8 | Jun 12–26 (transplant) Jun 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | May 1–8 | Jun 12–26 (transplant) Jun 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Apr 17–May 1 | Jun 12–26 (transplant) Jun 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Mar 6–20 | Jun 5–12 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Apr 17–May 1 | Jun 5–19 (transplant) Jun 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | May 15–Jun 12 (sow outdoors) | Aug 1–15 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Mar 20–Apr 3 | May 15–29 (transplant) May 8–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | May 29–Jun 12 (sow outdoors) | Aug 1–15 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | May 29–Jun 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | May 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | May 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | May 1–15 (transplant) | Jul 18–Aug 15 (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: Thoreau 12 SE, NM (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00298834), elevation 7,425 ft, 11.1 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mcgaffey 5 SE, NM | 17 mi | Jun 5 | Sep 25 |
| Grants AP, NM | 26 mi | May 17 | Oct 3 |
| Grants Milan Muni AP, NM | 26 mi | May 24 | Oct 1 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 19 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 87323
When is the last frost in 87323?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 87323 is May 29. For a more cautious planting date, use June 12, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 87323?
The average first fall freeze is September 26. In 1 year in 10 it comes by September 13.
What hardiness zone is 87323?
ZIP 87323 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 87323 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
87365 87312 Continental Divide 87045 Prewitt 87347 Jamestown 87005 Bluewater Village 87316 Iyanbito 87311 Church Rock 87313 Crownpoint
Other ZIP codes in McKinley County
86515 87045 87301 87305 87310 87311 87312 87313 87316 87317 87319 87320 87322 87325 87326 87327 87347 87365 87375 All McKinley County frost dates · New Mexico frost dates
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