Frost Dates for Chaparral, NM 88081
Last spring frost March 24 · First fall frost November 8 · 229 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b
ZIP 88081 has about 19,700 people.
Long season: 229 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 9–April 12 (34 days). Fall frost risk spans October 25–November 22 (28 days).
Frost probability for 88081
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 12 | March 24 | March 9 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 25 | November 8 | November 22 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at LA TUNA 1 S (41.1 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 229-day season in Chaparral
In Chaparral (229 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 17 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 187 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 7. | Jul 9 |
| Pepper | Feb 10 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 187 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 7. | Jul 14 |
| Lettuce | Jan 27 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 264 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 17 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 271 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 271 available after Mar 3. | Sep 6 |
| Cucumber | Mar 3 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 12 |
| Beans | — | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 19 |
| Peas | — | Jan 27–Apr 7 | 292 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 292 available after Jan 27. | Aug 28 |
| Zucchini | Mar 10 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Onion | Dec 30 | Feb 24–Mar 10 | 264 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 264 available after Feb 24. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 27–Mar 17 | 306 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 27 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Nov 29. | Oct 6 |
| Kale | Jan 13 | Feb 24–Mar 10 | 278 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 21 |
| Broccoli | Jan 27 | Feb 24–Mar 10 | 264 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 264 available after Feb 24. | Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Jan 27 | Feb 24–Mar 10 | 278 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 278 available after Feb 24. | Sep 6 |
| Radish | — | Jan 27–Apr 21 | 292 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 27 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Oct 7 |
| Beets | — | Jan 27–Apr 21 | 292 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 27 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 250 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 250 available after Mar 10. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 8 | 334 | overwinter: Plant Nov 8 to Nov 29; harvest the following summer. | Nov 29 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 17–Apr 14 | 285 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 17; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Feb 24 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 201 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 201 available after Mar 31. | Jul 21 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 10 | Apr 7–Apr 7 | 194 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 7. | Jun 26 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 10 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 243 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 17. | Aug 18 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 27 | Mar 10–Mar 10 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 27–Apr 21 | 306 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 27 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Nov 29. | Oct 6 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 27 | Feb 24–Mar 10 | 278 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 278 available after Feb 24. | Aug 7 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 10 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 194 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 7. | Jun 26 |
| Eggplant | Feb 3 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 187 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 7. | Jul 19 |
| Okra | Feb 24 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Basil | Feb 17 | Apr 14–Apr 14 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 12 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 24–Mar 17 | 264 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 12 |
| Parsley | Jan 13 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 229 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 229 available after Mar 31. | Aug 23 |
| Celery | Jan 13 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 229 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 229 available after Mar 31. | Jul 4 |
| Scallions | Jan 13 | Feb 24–Mar 10 | 278 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 16 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 24–Mar 10 | 278 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 26 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 10–Feb 24 | 292 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 10 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 21 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 24 | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 17 |
| Collards | Jan 13 | Feb 24–Mar 10 | 278 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 16 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 10 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 187 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 7. | Jul 4 |
| Chives | Dec 30 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 243 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 31. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 27–Apr 21 | 292 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 27 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Oregano | Jan 13 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 243 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 31. | — |
| Rosemary | Dec 30 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 229 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 229 available after Mar 31. | — |
| Sage | Jan 27 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 243 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 31. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 13 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 243 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 31. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 10 | Mar 10–Mar 24 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 12 |
| Cosmos | Feb 24 | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 12 |
| Lavender | Dec 30 | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 250 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 250 available after Mar 24. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 10 | Mar 24–Mar 31 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 22 |
| Melons | Mar 10 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 187 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 7. | Jul 4 |
| Mint | — | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 250 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 250 available after Mar 24. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 24 | Mar 24–Mar 31 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Pole Beans | — | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 208 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 208 available after Mar 31. | Aug 7 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 10 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 194 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 7. | Jul 6 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 215 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 215 available after Mar 24. | Aug 2 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 27 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 194 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 194 available after Mar 31. | Jul 14 |
| Watermelon | Mar 10 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 194 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 194 available after Mar 31. | Jul 9 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 10 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Zinnias | Feb 24 | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 12 |
Month by month in Chaparral
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Celery (Jan 13), Collards (Jan 13), Kale (Jan 13), Oregano (Jan 13), Parsley (Jan 13), Scallions (Jan 13), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 27), Beets (Jan 27), Dill (Jan 27), Peas (Jan 27), Radish (Jan 27), Spinach (Jan 27). |
| February | Start indoors: Eggplant (Feb 3), Calendula (Feb 10), Cauliflower (Feb 10), Marigolds (Feb 10), Pepper (Feb 10), Basil (Feb 17), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Feb 10), Cilantro (Feb 24), Turnip (Feb 24). Transplant from: Broccoli (Feb 24), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 24), Cabbage (Feb 24), Collards (Feb 24), Kale (Feb 24), Lettuce (Feb 24), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 17). |
| March | Start indoors: Cucumber (Mar 3), Butternut Squash (Mar 10), Cantaloupe (Mar 10), Melons (Mar 10), Pumpkin (Mar 10), Spaghetti Squash (Mar 10), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Mar 3), Potatoes (Mar 10), Sunflowers (Mar 24), Beans (Mar 31), Pole Beans (Mar 31). Transplant from: Calendula (Mar 10), Swiss Chard (Mar 10), Bok Choy (Mar 17), Cauliflower (Mar 17), Cosmos (Mar 24), Lavender (Mar 24), +15 more. Last frost around March 24. |
| April | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (Apr 7), Cantaloupe (Apr 7), Cucumber (Apr 7), Eggplant (Apr 7), Melons (Apr 7), Pepper (Apr 7), +6 more. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 26), Pumpkin (Jun 26). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jul 4), Celery (Jul 4), Melons (Jul 4), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 6), Tomato (Jul 9), Watermelon (Jul 9), +4 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Aug 2), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 7), Pole Beans (Aug 7), Basil (Aug 12), Cosmos (Aug 12), Cucumber (Aug 12), +11 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Sep 6), Carrots (Sep 6), Beets (Sep 7), Dill (Sep 7), Swiss Chard (Sep 7), Calendula (Sep 12), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Oct 6), Spinach (Oct 6), Radish (Oct 7). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 8). First frost around November 8. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 29). |
| December | Start indoors: Chives (Dec 30), Lavender (Dec 30), Onion (Dec 30), Rosemary (Dec 30). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Chaparral, NM (ZIP 88081)?
The median last spring frost date for Chaparral, NM (ZIP code 88081) is around March 24. 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 9; one in ten it runs past April 12.
What is the first fall frost date in Chaparral, NM?
The median first fall frost date for Chaparral, NM is around November 8. 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 25 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Chaparral, NM?
The frost-free growing season in Chaparral is about 229 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 Chaparral (229 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 Chaparral, NM?
Chaparral, NM is in USDA hardiness zone 8b (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 Chaparral, NM?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 17 and plant out Apr 7 in Chaparral. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Chaparral?
Two: plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 15.
When do I plant garlic in Chaparral?
Nov 8 to Nov 29; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Chaparral?
Yes: plant out Apr 7 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 9 for a fall crop.
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