Frost dates for ZIP 87830 (Apache Creek, 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, Reserve Rs, NM (3 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMay 3050% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 350% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)127 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 17, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
4-inch depth
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
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 87830 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
No soil reading near this ZIP. Typical extension timing for your region: spring 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 14 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | May 30 |
| 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 22 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 3 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 14 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Jun 10 | Sep 26 |
| 32°F (freeze) | May 30 | Oct 3 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | May 13 | Oct 12 |
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 87830
Dates count from your average last spring frost (May 30) and first fall frost (Oct 3). 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 4–18 | Jun 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Mar 21–Apr 4 | Jun 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Mar 21–Apr 4 | Jun 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Apr 4–18 | Jun 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Apr 4–18 | May 9–30 (transplant) May 2–Jun 13 (sow outdoors) | Aug 8–29 (transplant) Jul 25–Aug 22 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Apr 18–May 9 (sow outdoors) | Aug 8–29 (sowing) |
| Kale | Apr 4–18 | May 2–16 (transplant) May 2–16 (sow outdoors) | Jul 11–Aug 8 (transplant) Jun 27–Jul 25 (sowing) |
| Collards | Apr 4–18 | May 2–30 (transplant) May 2–30 (sow outdoors) | Jul 11–Aug 8 (transplant) Jun 27–Jul 25 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Mar 21–Apr 4 | May 2–16 (transplant) | Jun 27–Jul 25 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Mar 21–Apr 4 | May 2–16 (transplant) | Jun 27–Jul 25 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Mar 21–Apr 4 | May 16–30 (transplant) | Jun 27–Jul 25 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Mar 7–21 | May 2–16 (transplant) | Jun 13–Jul 4 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Apr 4–18 | May 2–16 (transplant) May 2–16 (sow outdoors) | Jul 25–Aug 8 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | May 2–16 (sow outdoors) | Aug 8–22 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | May 2–30 (sow outdoors) | Aug 8–Sep 5 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | May 2–23 (sow outdoors) | Aug 8–22 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Apr 18–May 2 | May 16–Jun 6 (transplant) May 16–Jun 13 (sow outdoors) | Jul 25–Aug 8 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | May 2–30 (sow outdoors) | Jul 25–Aug 8 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | May 9–Jun 6 (sow outdoors) | Jul 11–25 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Apr 25–Jun 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 22–Sep 5 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | May 2–23 (sow outdoors) | Jul 25–Aug 8 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | May 9–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Apr 4–May 2 (sow outdoors) | Jul 11–25 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Mar 7–21 | Apr 18–May 2 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Apr 18–May 16 (sow outdoors) | Jul 25–Aug 8 (sowing) |
| Leek | Mar 7–21 | May 2–16 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Aug 22–Sep 19 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Apr 18–May 2 (transplant) | Aug 22–Sep 19 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | May 2–16 (transplant) | Jun 13–27 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jun 20–Jul 4 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Jun 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Jun 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | Jun 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Jun 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jun 20–Jul 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | May 2–9 | Jun 6–20 (transplant) Jun 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | May 2–9 | Jun 6–20 (transplant) Jun 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | May 2–9 | Jun 6–20 (transplant) Jun 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Jun 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | May 2–9 | Jun 13–27 (transplant) Jun 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | May 2–9 | Jun 13–27 (transplant) Jun 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Apr 18–May 2 | Jun 13–27 (transplant) Jun 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Mar 7–21 | Jun 6–13 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Apr 18–May 2 | Jun 6–20 (transplant) Jun 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | May 16–Jun 13 (sow outdoors) | Aug 8–22 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Mar 21–Apr 4 | May 16–30 (transplant) May 9–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | May 30–Jun 13 (sow outdoors) | Aug 8–22 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | May 30–Jun 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | May 2–16 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | May 2–16 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | May 2–16 (transplant) | Jul 25–Aug 22 (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: Reserve Rs, NM (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00297386), elevation 5,847 ft, 2.6 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: E (estimated from nearby stations).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luna Rs, NM | 14 mi | Jun 17 | Sep 21 |
| Alpine, AZ | 26 mi | Jun 15 | Sep 21 |
| Glenwood, NM | 28 mi | May 6 | Oct 18 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 42 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 87830
When is the last frost in 87830?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 87830 is May 30. 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 87830?
The average first fall freeze is October 3. In 1 year in 10 it comes by September 22.
What hardiness zone is 87830?
ZIP 87830 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 87830 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
87824 Luna 87820 Aragon 85922 85920 Alpine 88039 Alma 85932 Nutrioso 87829 Escudilla Bonita 87821 Datil
Other ZIP codes in Catron County
87820 87821 87824 87827 87829 88039 All Catron County frost dates · New Mexico frost dates
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