Fall in zone 6aPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 87543 (Taos County, 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, Gascon, NM (19 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMay 2850% 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)119 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone6a-10 to -5°F avg. coldest night
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Frost and freeze alerts from the NWS forecast for 87543, the spring soil-temperature heads-up for pre-emergent, and a short weekly yard-timing email.
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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
52°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 46°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Alcalde (22 mi), Los Alamos 13 W (51 mi).
4-inch depth
55°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 53°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Alcalde (22 mi), Los Alamos 13 W (51 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 87543 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 55°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 13 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | May 28 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Jun 10 |
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 12 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Sep 26 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 7 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Jun 8 | Sep 16 |
| 32°F (freeze) | May 28 | Sep 26 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | May 14 | Oct 5 |
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 87543
Dates count from your average last spring frost (May 28) 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 2–16 | Jun 4–18 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Mar 19–Apr 2 | Jun 11–25 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Mar 19–Apr 2 | Jun 11–25 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Apr 2–16 | Jun 4–18 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Apr 2–16 | May 7–28 (transplant) Apr 30–Jun 11 (sow outdoors) | Aug 1–22 (transplant) Jul 18–Aug 15 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Apr 16–May 7 (sow outdoors) | Aug 1–22 (sowing) |
| Kale | Apr 2–16 | Apr 30–May 14 (transplant) Apr 30–May 14 (sow outdoors) | Jul 4–Aug 1 (transplant) Jun 20–Jul 18 (sowing) |
| Collards | Apr 2–16 | Apr 30–May 28 (transplant) Apr 30–May 28 (sow outdoors) | Jul 4–Aug 1 (transplant) Jun 20–Jul 18 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Mar 19–Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 14 (transplant) | Jun 20–Jul 18 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Mar 19–Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 14 (transplant) | Jun 20–Jul 18 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Mar 19–Apr 2 | May 14–28 (transplant) | Jun 20–Jul 18 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Mar 5–19 | Apr 30–May 14 (transplant) | Jun 6–27 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Apr 2–16 | Apr 30–May 14 (transplant) Apr 30–May 14 (sow outdoors) | Jul 18–Aug 1 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Apr 30–May 14 (sow outdoors) | Aug 1–15 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Apr 30–May 28 (sow outdoors) | Aug 1–29 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Apr 30–May 21 (sow outdoors) | Aug 1–15 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Apr 16–30 | May 14–Jun 4 (transplant) May 14–Jun 11 (sow outdoors) | Jul 18–Aug 1 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Apr 30–May 28 (sow outdoors) | Jul 18–Aug 1 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | May 7–Jun 4 (sow outdoors) | Jul 4–18 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Apr 23–Jun 4 (sow outdoors) | Aug 15–29 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Apr 30–May 21 (sow outdoors) | Jul 18–Aug 1 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | May 7–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Apr 2–30 (sow outdoors) | Jul 4–18 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Mar 5–19 | Apr 16–30 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Apr 16–May 14 (sow outdoors) | Jul 18–Aug 1 (sowing) |
| Leek | Mar 5–19 | Apr 30–May 14 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Aug 15–Sep 12 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Apr 16–30 (transplant) | Aug 15–Sep 12 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Apr 30–May 14 (transplant) | Jun 6–20 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jun 18–Jul 2 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Jun 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Jun 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | Jun 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Jun 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jun 18–Jul 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Apr 30–May 7 | Jun 4–18 (transplant) Jun 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Apr 30–May 7 | Jun 4–18 (transplant) Jun 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Apr 30–May 7 | Jun 4–18 (transplant) Jun 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Jun 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Apr 30–May 7 | Jun 11–25 (transplant) Jun 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Apr 30–May 7 | Jun 11–25 (transplant) Jun 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Apr 16–30 | Jun 11–25 (transplant) Jun 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Mar 5–19 | Jun 4–11 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Apr 16–30 | Jun 4–18 (transplant) Jun 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | May 14–Jun 11 (sow outdoors) | Aug 1–15 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Mar 19–Apr 2 | May 14–28 (transplant) May 7–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | May 28–Jun 11 (sow outdoors) | Aug 1–15 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | May 28–Jun 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Apr 30–May 14 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Apr 30–May 14 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Apr 30–May 14 (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: Gascon, NM (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00293488), elevation 8,250 ft, 18.8 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taos, NM | 20 mi | May 19 | Oct 3 |
| Alcalde, NM | 22 mi | May 10 | Oct 4 |
| Espanola, NM | 24 mi | May 11 | Oct 6 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 18 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 87543
When is the last frost in 87543?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 87543 is May 28. For a more cautious planting date, use June 10, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 87543?
The average first fall freeze is September 26. In 1 year in 10 it comes by September 12.
What hardiness zone is 87543?
ZIP 87543 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 87543 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
87521 Ojo Sarco 87579 Vadito 87578 Truchas 87553 Peñasco 87527 Dixon 87523 Cordova 87557 Ranchos de Taos 87732 Mora
Other ZIP codes in Taos County
87512 87513 87514 87517 87519 87524 87525 87529 87531 87553 87556 87557 87558 87564 87571 87579 87580 All Taos 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.