Frost Dates for Carlsbad, NM 88220
Last spring frost March 31 · First fall frost November 3 · 217 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8a
ZIP 88220 has about 39,800 people.
Long season: 217 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 14–April 20 (37 days). Fall frost risk spans October 20–November 18 (29 days).
Frost probability for 88220
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 20 | March 31 | March 14 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 20 | November 3 | November 18 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at CARLSBAD CAVERNS (15.3 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 217-day season in Carlsbad
In Carlsbad (217 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Feb 24 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 175 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 14. | Jul 4 |
| Pepper | Feb 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 175 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 14. | Jul 9 |
| Lettuce | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 12 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 259 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 259 available after Mar 10. | Sep 1 |
| Cucumber | Mar 10 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 7 |
| Beans | — | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 14 |
| Peas | — | Feb 3–Apr 14 | 280 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 280 available after Feb 3. | Aug 23 |
| Zucchini | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Onion | Jan 6 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 252 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 252 available after Mar 3. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 3–Mar 24 | 294 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Nov 24. | Oct 1 |
| Kale | Jan 20 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 16 |
| Broccoli | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 252 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 252 available after Mar 3. | Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 266 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 266 available after Mar 3. | Sep 1 |
| Radish | — | Feb 3–Apr 28 | 280 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Oct 2 |
| Beets | — | Feb 3–Apr 28 | 280 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 2 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 238 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 238 available after Mar 17. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 3 | 322 | overwinter: Plant Nov 3 to Nov 24; harvest the following summer. | Nov 24 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 24–Apr 21 | 273 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 24; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 3 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 189 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 7. | Jul 16 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 14 | 182 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 14. | Jun 21 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 17 | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 231 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 231 available after Mar 24. | Aug 13 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 3 | Mar 17–Mar 17 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 2 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 3–Apr 28 | 294 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Nov 24. | Oct 1 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 266 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 266 available after Mar 3. | Aug 2 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 182 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 14. | Jun 21 |
| Eggplant | Feb 10 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 175 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 14. | Jul 14 |
| Okra | Mar 3 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Basil | Feb 24 | Apr 21–Apr 21 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 7 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 3–Mar 24 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 7 |
| Parsley | Jan 20 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 217 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 217 available after Apr 7. | Aug 18 |
| Celery | Jan 20 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 217 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 217 available after Apr 7. | Jun 29 |
| Scallions | Jan 20 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 11 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 21 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 17–Mar 3 | 280 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 16 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 3 | Mar 24–Mar 31 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 12 |
| Collards | Jan 20 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 11 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 175 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 14. | Jun 29 |
| Chives | Jan 6 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 231 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 231 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 3–Apr 28 | 280 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 2 |
| Oregano | Jan 20 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 231 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 231 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 6 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 217 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 217 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Sage | Feb 3 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 231 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 231 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 20 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 231 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 231 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 7 |
| Cosmos | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 7 |
| Lavender | Jan 6 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 238 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 238 available after Mar 31. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 17 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 17 |
| Melons | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 175 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 14. | Jun 29 |
| Mint | — | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 238 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 238 available after Mar 31. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 196 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 7. | Aug 2 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 182 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 14. | Jul 1 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 203 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 203 available after Mar 31. | Jul 28 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 3 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 182 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 7. | Jul 9 |
| Watermelon | Mar 17 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 182 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 7. | Jul 4 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Zinnias | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 7 |
Month by month in Carlsbad
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 6), Lavender (Jan 6), Onion (Jan 6), Rosemary (Jan 6), Celery (Jan 20), Collards (Jan 20), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 3), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 3), Cabbage (Feb 3), Lettuce (Feb 3), Sage (Feb 3), Swiss Chard (Feb 3), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 3), Beets (Feb 3), Dill (Feb 3), Peas (Feb 3), Radish (Feb 3), Spinach (Feb 3), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 24). |
| March | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Mar 3), Corn (Mar 3), Cosmos (Mar 3), Nasturtiums (Mar 3), Okra (Mar 3), Zinnias (Mar 3), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 3), Turnip (Mar 3), Carrots (Mar 10), Potatoes (Mar 17), Sunflowers (Mar 31). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 3), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 3), Cabbage (Mar 3), Collards (Mar 3), Kale (Mar 3), Lettuce (Mar 3), +12 more. Last frost around March 31. |
| April | Direct sow from: Beans (Apr 7), Pole Beans (Apr 7). Transplant from: Celery (Apr 7), Chives (Apr 7), Corn (Apr 7), Okra (Apr 7), Oregano (Apr 7), Parsley (Apr 7), +17 more. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 21), Pumpkin (Jun 21), Cantaloupe (Jun 29), Celery (Jun 29), Melons (Jun 29). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Spaghetti Squash (Jul 1), Tomato (Jul 4), Watermelon (Jul 4), Pepper (Jul 9), Tomatillos (Jul 9), Eggplant (Jul 14), +2 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Aug 2), Pole Beans (Aug 2), Basil (Aug 7), Cosmos (Aug 7), Cucumber (Aug 7), Zinnias (Aug 7), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Sep 1), Carrots (Sep 1), Beets (Sep 2), Dill (Sep 2), Swiss Chard (Sep 2), Calendula (Sep 7), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Oct 1), Spinach (Oct 1), Radish (Oct 2). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 3). First frost around November 3. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 24). |
| December | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Carlsbad, NM (ZIP 88220)?
The median last spring frost date for Carlsbad, NM (ZIP code 88220) is around March 31. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before March 14; one in ten it runs past April 20.
What is the first fall frost date in Carlsbad, NM?
The median first fall frost date for Carlsbad, NM is around November 3. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around October 20 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Carlsbad, NM?
The frost-free growing season in Carlsbad is about 217 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Carlsbad (217 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Carlsbad, NM?
Carlsbad, NM is in USDA hardiness zone 8a (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Carlsbad, NM?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 24 and plant out Apr 14 in Carlsbad. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Carlsbad?
Two: plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 10.
When do I plant garlic in Carlsbad?
Nov 3 to Nov 24; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Carlsbad?
Yes: plant out Apr 14 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 4 for a fall crop.
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