Frost Dates for Hobbs, NM 88240
Last spring frost April 15 · First fall frost October 26 · 194 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8a
ZIP 88240 has about 41,600 people, the largest of 3 ZIP codes in Hobbs.
Long season: 194 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 31–April 30 (30 days). Fall frost risk spans October 8–November 13 (36 days).
Frost probability for 88240
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 30 | April 15 | March 31 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 8 | October 26 | November 13 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MALJAMAR (36.9 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Hobbs, NM
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 88240 | April 15 | October 26 | 8a |
| 88242 | April 5 | October 29 | 8a |
| 88244 | April 15 | October 26 | 8a |
Which crops fit a 194-day season in Hobbs
In Hobbs (194 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 | Mar 11 | Apr 29–May 6 | 152 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 152 available after Apr 29. | Jun 26 |
| Pepper | Mar 4 | Apr 29–May 6 | 152 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 152 available after Apr 29. | Jul 1 |
| Lettuce | Feb 18 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 2. | Sep 4 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 25–Apr 1 | 236 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 25. | Aug 24 |
| Cucumber | Mar 25 | Apr 29–May 6 | 166 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 12. | Jul 30 |
| Beans | — | Apr 22–May 6 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 6 |
| Peas | — | Feb 18–Apr 29 | 257 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 257 available after Feb 18. | Aug 15 |
| Zucchini | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 6 | 166 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Onion | Jan 21 | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 229 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 229 available after Mar 18. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 18–Apr 8 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Sep 23; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 23 |
| Kale | Feb 4 | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 8 |
| Broccoli | Feb 18 | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 229 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 229 available after Mar 18. | Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Feb 18 | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 243 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 18. | Aug 24 |
| Radish | — | Feb 18–May 13 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Nov 2. | Sep 24 |
| Beets | — | Feb 18–May 13 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 215 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 215 available after Apr 1. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 26 | 299 | overwinter: Plant Oct 26 to Nov 16; harvest the following summer. | Nov 16 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 11–May 6 | 250 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 11; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 18 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 166 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 22. | Jul 8 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 1 | Apr 29–Apr 29 | 159 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 29. | Jun 13 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 4 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 208 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 8. | Aug 5 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 18 | Apr 1–Apr 1 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 18–May 13 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Sep 23; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 23 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 18 | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 243 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 18. | Jul 25 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 6 | 159 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 29. | Jun 13 |
| Eggplant | Feb 25 | Apr 29–May 6 | 152 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 152 available after Apr 29. | Jul 6 |
| Okra | Mar 18 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Basil | Mar 11 | May 6–May 6 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 12. | Jul 30 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 18–Apr 8 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 30 |
| Parsley | Feb 4 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 194 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 22. | Aug 10 |
| Celery | Feb 4 | Apr 22–May 6 | 194 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 22. | Jun 21 |
| Scallions | Feb 4 | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 3 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 13 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 8 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 18 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 2. | Sep 4 |
| Collards | Feb 4 | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 3 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 6 | 152 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 152 available after Apr 29. | Jun 21 |
| Chives | Jan 21 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 208 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 22. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 18–May 13 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Oregano | Feb 4 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 208 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 22. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 21 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 194 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 22. | — |
| Sage | Feb 18 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 208 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 22. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 4 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 208 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 22. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 30 |
| Cosmos | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 12. | Jul 30 |
| Lavender | Jan 21 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 215 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 215 available after Apr 15. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 4 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 9 |
| Melons | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 6 | 152 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 152 available after Apr 29. | Jun 21 |
| Mint | — | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 215 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 215 available after Apr 15. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 22–May 6 | 173 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 22. | Jul 25 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 6 | 159 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 29. | Jun 23 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 180 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 15. | Jul 20 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 18 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 159 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 22. | Jul 1 |
| Watermelon | Apr 1 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 159 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 22. | Jun 26 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 6 | 166 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Zinnias | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 12. | Jul 30 |
Month by month in Hobbs
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 21), Lavender (Jan 21), Onion (Jan 21), Rosemary (Jan 21). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 4), Collards (Feb 4), Kale (Feb 4), Oregano (Feb 4), Parsley (Feb 4), Scallions (Feb 4), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 18), Beets (Feb 18), Dill (Feb 18), Peas (Feb 18), Radish (Feb 18), Spinach (Feb 18). |
| March | Start indoors: Calendula (Mar 4), Cauliflower (Mar 4), Marigolds (Mar 4), Pepper (Mar 4), Basil (Mar 11), Tomato (Mar 11), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 4), Cilantro (Mar 18), Turnip (Mar 18), Carrots (Mar 25). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 18), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 18), Cabbage (Mar 18), Collards (Mar 18), Kale (Mar 18), Lettuce (Mar 18), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 11). |
| April | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Apr 1), Cantaloupe (Apr 1), Melons (Apr 1), Pumpkin (Apr 1), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 1), Watermelon (Apr 1), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Apr 1), Sunflowers (Apr 15), Beans (Apr 22), Pole Beans (Apr 22). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 1), Swiss Chard (Apr 1), Bok Choy (Apr 8), Cauliflower (Apr 8), Cosmos (Apr 15), Lavender (Apr 15), +26 more. Last frost around April 15. |
| May | Transplant from: Basil (May 6). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 13), Pumpkin (Jun 13), Cantaloupe (Jun 21), Celery (Jun 21), Melons (Jun 21), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 23), +2 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Jul 1), Tomatillos (Jul 1), Eggplant (Jul 6), Corn (Jul 8), Sunflowers (Jul 20), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 25), +6 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Nasturtiums (Aug 4), Okra (Aug 4), Yellow Squash (Aug 4), Zucchini (Aug 4), Cauliflower (Aug 5), Beans (Aug 6), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Collards (Sep 3), Scallions (Sep 3), Bok Choy (Sep 4), Lettuce (Sep 4), Kale (Sep 8), Kohlrabi (Sep 8), +4 more. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 26). First frost around October 26. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 16). |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Hobbs, NM (ZIP 88240)?
The median last spring frost date for Hobbs, NM (ZIP code 88240) is around April 15. 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 31; one in ten it runs past April 30.
What is the first fall frost date in Hobbs, NM?
The median first fall frost date for Hobbs, NM is around October 26. 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 8 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Hobbs, NM?
The frost-free growing season in Hobbs is about 194 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 Hobbs (194 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 Hobbs, NM?
Hobbs, 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 Hobbs, NM?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 11 and plant out Apr 29 in Hobbs. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Hobbs?
Two: plant Mar 18 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 2.
When do I plant garlic in Hobbs?
Oct 26 to Nov 16; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Hobbs?
Yes: plant out Apr 29 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 26 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Seminole (ZIP 79360) has 218 frost-free days, 24 more than Hobbs (ZIP 88240). See Seminole ZIP 79360 frost dates
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