Frost dates for ZIP 87901 (Truth or Consequences, 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, Elephant Butte Dam, NM (10 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMar 1350% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 1550% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)243 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone8a10 to 15°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
64°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 67°F, as of Oct 17, 10:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Las Cruces 20 N (41 mi), Jornada Exp Range (46 mi).
4-inch depth
65°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 68°F, as of Oct 17, 10:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Las Cruces 20 N (41 mi), Jornada Exp Range (46 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 87901 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 65°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
- Arugula: fall sowing Sep 20–Oct 18
- Radish: fall sowing Oct 4–18
- Garlic: fall sowing Oct 4–Nov 1
- Shallot: fall sowing Oct 4–Nov 1
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Nov 15: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
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) | Feb 26 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Mar 13 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Apr 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) | Nov 1 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 15 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 28 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Mar 30 | Nov 5 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Mar 13 | Nov 15 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Mar 1 | Nov 26 |
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 87901
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Mar 13) and first fall frost (Nov 15). 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 | Jan 16–30 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) | Jul 19–Aug 16 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Jan 2–16 | Mar 27–Apr 10 (transplant) | Jul 26–Aug 16 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Jan 2–16 | Mar 27–Apr 10 (transplant) | Jul 26–Aug 16 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Jan 16–30 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Jan 16–30 | Feb 20–Mar 13 (transplant) Feb 13–Mar 27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 20–Oct 11 (transplant) Sep 6–Oct 4 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Jan 30–Feb 20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 20–Oct 11 (sowing) |
| Kale | Jan 16–30 | Feb 13–27 (transplant) Feb 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Aug 23–Sep 20 (transplant) Aug 9–Sep 6 (sowing) |
| Collards | Jan 16–30 | Feb 13–Mar 13 (transplant) Feb 13–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | Aug 23–Sep 20 (transplant) Aug 9–Sep 6 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Jan 2–16 | Feb 13–27 (transplant) | Aug 9–Sep 6 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Jan 2–16 | Feb 13–27 (transplant) | Aug 9–Sep 6 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Jan 2–16 | Feb 27–Mar 13 (transplant) | Aug 9–Sep 6 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Dec 19–Jan 2 | Feb 13–27 (transplant) | Jul 26–Aug 16 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Jan 16–30 | Feb 13–27 (transplant) Feb 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 6–20 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Feb 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 20–Oct 4 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Feb 13–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | Sep 20–Oct 18 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Feb 13–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | Sep 20–Oct 4 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Jan 30–Feb 13 | Feb 27–Mar 20 (transplant) Feb 27–Mar 27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 6–20 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Feb 13–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | Sep 6–20 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Feb 20–Mar 20 (sow outdoors) | Aug 23–Sep 6 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Feb 6–Mar 20 (sow outdoors) | Oct 4–18 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Feb 13–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | Sep 6–20 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Feb 20–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Jan 16–Feb 13 (sow outdoors) | Aug 23–Sep 6 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Dec 19–Jan 2 | Jan 30–Feb 13 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Jan 30–Feb 27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 6–20 (sowing) |
| Leek | Dec 19–Jan 2 | Feb 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 4–Nov 1 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Jan 30–Feb 13 (transplant) | Oct 4–Nov 1 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Feb 13–27 (transplant) | Jul 26–Aug 9 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Apr 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Mar 20–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Mar 20–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | Aug 23–Sep 6 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Mar 20–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Mar 27–Apr 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Apr 3–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Feb 13–20 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) Mar 20–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | Aug 23–Sep 6 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Feb 13–20 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) Mar 20–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | Aug 23–Sep 6 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Feb 13–20 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) Mar 20–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Mar 20–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Feb 13–20 | Mar 27–Apr 10 (transplant) Mar 27–Apr 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Feb 13–20 | Mar 27–Apr 10 (transplant) Mar 27–Apr 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Jan 30–Feb 13 | Mar 27–Apr 10 (transplant) Mar 27–Apr 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Dec 19–Jan 2 | Mar 20–27 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Jan 30–Feb 13 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) Mar 20–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Feb 27–Mar 27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 20–Oct 4 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Jan 2–16 | Feb 27–Mar 13 (transplant) Feb 20–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Mar 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 20–Oct 4 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Mar 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Feb 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Feb 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Feb 13–27 (transplant) | Sep 6–Oct 4 (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: Elephant Butte Dam, NM (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00292848), elevation 4,571 ft, 9.8 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Truth Or Consequences, NM | 13 mi | Mar 30 | Nov 5 |
| Truth Or Consequence AP, NM | 15 mi | Mar 22 | Nov 9 |
| Caballo Dam, NM | 25 mi | Mar 25 | Nov 6 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 17 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 87901
When is the last frost in 87901?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 87901 is March 13. For a more cautious planting date, use April 2, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 87901?
The average first fall freeze is November 15. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 1.
What hardiness zone is 87901?
ZIP 87901 is in USDA zone 8a (10 to 15°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 87901 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
87935 Truth or Consequences 87942 Las Palomas 87939 87931 Oasis 87933 87930 Arrey 87936 Garfield 87941 Salem
Other ZIP codes in Sierra County
87930 87931 87933 87935 87939 87942 87943 88042 All Sierra 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.