Frost dates for ZIP 87942 (Las Palomas, 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, Truth Or Consequences, NM (9 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMar 3050% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 550% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)220 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone8a10 to 15°F avg. coldest night
Get The Dial for 87942 (Las Palomas)
Frost and freeze alerts from the NWS forecast for 87942, the spring soil-temperature heads-up for pre-emergent, and a short weekly yard-timing email.
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.
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 (47 mi), Jornada Exp Range (51 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 (47 mi), Jornada Exp Range (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 87942 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
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Nov 5: 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) | Mar 8 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Mar 30 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Apr 19 |
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) | Oct 24 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 5 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 17 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 15 | Oct 28 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Mar 30 | Nov 5 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Mar 10 | Nov 15 |
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 87942
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Mar 30) and first fall frost (Nov 5). 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 | Feb 2–16 | Apr 6–20 (transplant) | Jul 9–Aug 6 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Jan 19–Feb 2 | Apr 13–27 (transplant) | Jul 16–Aug 6 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Jan 19–Feb 2 | Apr 13–27 (transplant) | Jul 16–Aug 6 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Feb 2–16 | Apr 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Feb 2–16 | Mar 9–30 (transplant) Mar 2–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–Oct 1 (transplant) Aug 27–Sep 24 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Feb 16–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Kale | Feb 2–16 | Mar 2–16 (transplant) Mar 2–16 (sow outdoors) | Aug 13–Sep 10 (transplant) Jul 30–Aug 27 (sowing) |
| Collards | Feb 2–16 | Mar 2–30 (transplant) Mar 2–30 (sow outdoors) | Aug 13–Sep 10 (transplant) Jul 30–Aug 27 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Jan 19–Feb 2 | Mar 2–16 (transplant) | Jul 30–Aug 27 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Jan 19–Feb 2 | Mar 2–16 (transplant) | Jul 30–Aug 27 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Jan 19–Feb 2 | Mar 16–30 (transplant) | Jul 30–Aug 27 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Jan 5–19 | Mar 2–16 (transplant) | Jul 16–Aug 6 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Feb 2–16 | Mar 2–16 (transplant) Mar 2–16 (sow outdoors) | Aug 27–Sep 10 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Mar 2–16 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Mar 2–30 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Mar 2–23 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Feb 16–Mar 2 | Mar 16–Apr 6 (transplant) Mar 16–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | Aug 27–Sep 10 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Mar 2–30 (sow outdoors) | Aug 27–Sep 10 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Mar 9–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 13–27 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Feb 23–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Mar 2–23 (sow outdoors) | Aug 27–Sep 10 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Mar 9–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Feb 2–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | Aug 13–27 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Jan 5–19 | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Feb 16–Mar 16 (sow outdoors) | Aug 27–Sep 10 (sowing) |
| Leek | Jan 5–19 | Mar 2–16 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 24–Oct 22 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) | Sep 24–Oct 22 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Mar 2–16 (transplant) | Jul 16–30 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Apr 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Apr 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Aug 13–27 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Apr 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Apr 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Apr 20–May 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Mar 2–9 | Apr 6–20 (transplant) Apr 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Aug 13–27 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Mar 2–9 | Apr 6–20 (transplant) Apr 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Aug 13–27 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Mar 2–9 | Apr 6–20 (transplant) Apr 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Apr 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Mar 2–9 | Apr 13–27 (transplant) Apr 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Mar 2–9 | Apr 13–27 (transplant) Apr 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Feb 16–Mar 2 | Apr 13–27 (transplant) Apr 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Jan 5–19 | Apr 6–13 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Feb 16–Mar 2 | Apr 6–20 (transplant) Apr 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Mar 16–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Jan 19–Feb 2 | Mar 16–30 (transplant) Mar 9–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Mar 30–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Mar 30–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Mar 2–16 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Mar 2–16 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Mar 2–16 (transplant) | Aug 27–Sep 24 (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: Truth Or Consequences, NM (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00299128), elevation 4,296 ft, 8.5 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elephant Butte Dam, NM | 11 mi | Mar 13 | Nov 15 |
| Caballo Dam, NM | 12 mi | Mar 25 | Nov 6 |
| Truth Or Consequence AP, NM | 13 mi | Mar 22 | Nov 9 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 17 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 87942
When is the last frost in 87942?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 87942 is March 30. For a more cautious planting date, use April 19, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 87942?
The average first fall freeze is November 5. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 24.
What hardiness zone is 87942?
ZIP 87942 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 87942 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
87931 Oasis 87935 Truth or Consequences 87930 Arrey 87933 87901 Truth or Consequences 88042 Hillsboro 87939 87936 Garfield
Other ZIP codes in Sierra County
87901 87930 87931 87933 87935 87939 87943 88042 All Sierra County frost dates · New Mexico frost dates
Never miss a frost: get The Dial
Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
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.