Frost Dates for Las Cruces, NM 88005
Las Cruces has 7 ZIP codes. The Las Cruces, NM frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 21 · First fall frost October 26 · 188 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8a
ZIP 88005 has about 27,500 people, one of 7 ZIP codes in Las Cruces.
Long season: 188 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 9–May 4 (25 days). Fall frost risk spans October 12–November 8 (27 days).
Frost probability for 88005
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 4 | April 21 | April 9 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 12 | October 26 | November 8 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at ALEMAN RCH (78.4 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 188-day season in Las Cruces
In Las Cruces (188 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 17 | May 5–May 12 | 146 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 146 available after May 5. | Jun 26 |
| Pepper | Mar 10 | May 5–May 12 | 146 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 146 available after May 5. | Jul 1 |
| Lettuce | Feb 24 | Mar 24–Mar 31 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 2. | Sep 4 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 230 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 230 available after Mar 31. | Aug 24 |
| Cucumber | Mar 31 | May 5–May 12 | 160 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 12. | Jul 30 |
| Beans | — | Apr 28–May 12 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 6 |
| Peas | — | Feb 24–May 5 | 251 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 251 available after Feb 24. | Aug 15 |
| Zucchini | Apr 7 | May 5–May 12 | 160 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Onion | Jan 27 | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 223 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 223 available after Mar 24. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 24–Apr 14 | 265 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 23; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 23 |
| Kale | Feb 10 | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 237 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 8 |
| Broccoli | Feb 24 | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 223 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 223 available after Mar 24. | Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Feb 24 | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 237 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 237 available after Mar 24. | Aug 24 |
| Radish | — | Feb 24–May 19 | 251 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Nov 2. | Sep 24 |
| Beets | — | Feb 24–May 19 | 251 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 209 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 209 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 26 | 293 | overwinter: Plant Oct 26 to Nov 16; harvest the following summer. | Nov 16 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 17–May 12 | 244 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 17; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 24 | Apr 28–May 5 | 160 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 160 available after Apr 28. | Jul 8 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 7 | May 5–May 5 | 153 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 153 available after May 5. | Jun 13 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 10 | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 202 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 14. | Aug 5 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 24 | Apr 7–Apr 7 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 24–May 19 | 265 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 23; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 23 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 24 | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 237 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 237 available after Mar 24. | Jul 25 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 7 | May 5–May 12 | 153 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 153 available after May 5. | Jun 13 |
| Eggplant | Mar 3 | May 5–May 12 | 146 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 146 available after May 5. | Jul 6 |
| Okra | Mar 24 | Apr 28–May 5 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Basil | Mar 17 | May 12–May 12 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 12. | Jul 30 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 24–Apr 14 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 30 |
| Parsley | Feb 10 | Apr 28–May 5 | 188 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 28. | Aug 10 |
| Celery | Feb 10 | Apr 28–May 12 | 188 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 28. | Jun 21 |
| Scallions | Feb 10 | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 237 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 3 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 237 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 13 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 10–Mar 24 | 251 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 8 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 24 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 2. | Sep 4 |
| Collards | Feb 10 | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 237 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 3 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 7 | May 5–May 12 | 146 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 146 available after May 5. | Jun 21 |
| Chives | Jan 27 | Apr 28–May 5 | 202 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 28. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 24–May 19 | 251 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Oregano | Feb 10 | Apr 28–May 5 | 202 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 28. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 27 | Apr 28–May 5 | 188 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 28. | — |
| Sage | Feb 24 | Apr 28–May 5 | 202 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 28. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 10 | Apr 28–May 5 | 202 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 28. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 10 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 30 |
| Cosmos | Mar 24 | Apr 21–May 5 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 12. | Jul 30 |
| Lavender | Jan 27 | Apr 21–May 5 | 209 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 209 available after Apr 21. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 10 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 9 |
| Melons | Apr 7 | May 5–May 12 | 146 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 146 available after May 5. | Jun 21 |
| Mint | — | Apr 21–May 5 | 209 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 209 available after Apr 21. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 24 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 28–May 12 | 167 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 28. | Jul 25 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 7 | May 5–May 12 | 153 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 153 available after May 5. | Jun 23 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 21–May 5 | 174 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 21. | Jul 20 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 24 | Apr 28–May 5 | 153 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 153 available after Apr 28. | Jul 1 |
| Watermelon | Apr 7 | Apr 28–May 5 | 153 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 153 available after Apr 28. | Jun 26 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 7 | May 5–May 12 | 160 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Zinnias | Mar 24 | Apr 21–May 5 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 12. | Jul 30 |
Month by month in Las Cruces
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 27), Lavender (Jan 27), Onion (Jan 27), Rosemary (Jan 27). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 10), Collards (Feb 10), Kale (Feb 10), Oregano (Feb 10), Parsley (Feb 10), Scallions (Feb 10), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 24), Beets (Feb 24), Dill (Feb 24), Peas (Feb 24), Radish (Feb 24), Spinach (Feb 24). |
| March | Start indoors: Eggplant (Mar 3), Calendula (Mar 10), Cauliflower (Mar 10), Marigolds (Mar 10), Pepper (Mar 10), Basil (Mar 17), +8 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 10), Cilantro (Mar 24), Turnip (Mar 24), Carrots (Mar 31). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 24), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 24), Cabbage (Mar 24), Collards (Mar 24), Kale (Mar 24), Lettuce (Mar 24), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 17). |
| April | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Apr 7), Cantaloupe (Apr 7), Melons (Apr 7), Pumpkin (Apr 7), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 7), Watermelon (Apr 7), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Apr 7), Sunflowers (Apr 21), Beans (Apr 28), Pole Beans (Apr 28). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 7), Swiss Chard (Apr 7), Bok Choy (Apr 14), Cauliflower (Apr 14), Cosmos (Apr 21), Lavender (Apr 21), +15 more. Last frost around April 21. |
| May | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (May 5), Cantaloupe (May 5), Cucumber (May 5), Eggplant (May 5), Melons (May 5), Pepper (May 5), +6 more. |
| 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 Las Cruces, NM (ZIP 88005)?
The median last spring frost date for Las Cruces, NM (ZIP code 88005) is around April 21. 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 April 9; one in ten it runs past May 4.
What is the first fall frost date in Las Cruces, NM?
The median first fall frost date for Las Cruces, 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 12 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Las Cruces, NM?
The frost-free growing season in Las Cruces is about 188 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 Las Cruces (188 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 Las Cruces, NM?
Las Cruces, 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 Las Cruces, NM?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 17 and plant out May 5 in Las Cruces. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Las Cruces?
Two: plant Mar 24 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 2.
When do I plant garlic in Las Cruces?
Oct 26 to Nov 16; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Las Cruces?
Yes: plant out May 5 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?
Las Cruces (ZIP 88001) has 229 frost-free days, 41 more than Las Cruces (ZIP 88005). See Las Cruces ZIP 88001 frost dates
Nearby and related
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- When to plant in Las Cruces, NM: month-by-month guide
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