Frost Dates for Las Cruces, NM 88011
Las Cruces has 7 ZIP codes. The Las Cruces, NM frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 26 · First fall frost October 20 · 177 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b
ZIP 88011 has about 33,100 people, one of 7 ZIP codes in Las Cruces.
Moderate season: 177 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 11–May 12 (31 days). Fall frost risk spans October 6–November 3 (28 days).
Frost probability for 88011
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 12 | April 26 | April 11 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 6 | October 20 | November 3 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at WHITE SANDS NATL MON (57.6 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 177-day season in Las Cruces
In Las Cruces (177 frost-free days, a moderate 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 22 | May 10–May 17 | 135 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 135 available after May 10. | Jun 20 |
| Pepper | Mar 15 | May 10–May 17 | 135 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 135 available after May 10. | Jun 25 |
| Lettuce | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 29 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 219 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 219 available after Apr 5. | Aug 18 |
| Cucumber | Apr 5 | May 10–May 17 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 24 |
| Beans | — | May 3–May 17 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 13. | Jul 31 |
| Peas | — | Mar 1–May 10 | 240 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 240 available after Mar 1. | Aug 9 |
| Zucchini | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 29 |
| Onion | Feb 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 212 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 212 available after Mar 29. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 1–Apr 19 | 254 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 17 |
| Kale | Feb 15 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 2 |
| Broccoli | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 212 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 212 available after Mar 29. | Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 226 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 226 available after Mar 29. | Aug 18 |
| Radish | — | Mar 1–May 24 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Oct 27. | Sep 18 |
| Beets | — | Mar 1–May 24 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 19 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 198 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 12. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 20 | 282 | overwinter: Plant Oct 20 to Nov 10; harvest the following summer. | Nov 10 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 22–May 17 | 233 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 22; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 29 | May 3–May 10 | 149 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 149 available after May 3. | Jul 2 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 12 | May 10–May 10 | 142 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 142 available after May 10. | Jun 7 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 15 | Apr 19–May 3 | 191 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 19. | Jul 30 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 1 | Apr 12–Apr 12 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 19 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 1–May 24 | 254 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 17 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 226 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 226 available after Mar 29. | Jul 19 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 142 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 142 available after May 10. | Jun 7 |
| Eggplant | Mar 8 | May 10–May 17 | 135 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 135 available after May 10. | Jun 30 |
| Okra | Mar 29 | May 3–May 10 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 29 |
| Basil | Mar 22 | May 17–May 17 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant May 17 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 24 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 29–Apr 19 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 24 |
| Parsley | Feb 15 | May 3–May 10 | 177 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 177 available after May 3. | Aug 4 |
| Celery | Feb 15 | May 3–May 17 | 177 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 177 available after May 3. | Jun 15 |
| Scallions | Feb 15 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 10. | Aug 28 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 7 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 15–Mar 29 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 2 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 29 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 29 |
| Collards | Feb 15 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 10. | Aug 28 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 135 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 135 available after May 10. | Jun 15 |
| Chives | Feb 1 | May 3–May 10 | 191 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 191 available after May 3. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 1–May 24 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 19 |
| Oregano | Feb 15 | May 3–May 10 | 191 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 191 available after May 3. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 1 | May 3–May 10 | 177 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 177 available after May 3. | — |
| Sage | Mar 1 | May 3–May 10 | 191 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 191 available after May 3. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 15 | May 3–May 10 | 191 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 191 available after May 3. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 24 |
| Cosmos | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 10 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 24 |
| Lavender | Feb 1 | Apr 26–May 10 | 198 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 15 | Apr 26–May 3 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 6. | Aug 3 |
| Melons | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 135 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 135 available after May 10. | Jun 15 |
| Mint | — | Apr 26–May 10 | 198 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 3 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 29 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 3–May 17 | 156 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 156 available after May 3. | Jul 19 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 142 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 142 available after May 10. | Jun 17 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 26–May 10 | 163 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 163 available after Apr 26. | Jul 14 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 1 | May 3–May 10 | 142 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 142 available after May 3. | Jun 25 |
| Watermelon | Apr 12 | May 3–May 10 | 142 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 142 available after May 3. | Jun 20 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 29 |
| Zinnias | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 10 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 24 |
Month by month in Las Cruces
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 1), Lavender (Feb 1), Onion (Feb 1), Rosemary (Feb 1), Celery (Feb 15), Collards (Feb 15), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 1), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 1), Cabbage (Mar 1), Lettuce (Mar 1), Sage (Mar 1), Swiss Chard (Mar 1), +14 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 1), Beets (Mar 1), Dill (Mar 1), Peas (Mar 1), Radish (Mar 1), Spinach (Mar 1), +3 more. Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 29), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 29), Cabbage (Mar 29), Collards (Mar 29), Kale (Mar 29), Lettuce (Mar 29), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 22). |
| April | Start indoors: Cucumber (Apr 5), Butternut Squash (Apr 12), Cantaloupe (Apr 12), Melons (Apr 12), Pumpkin (Apr 12), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 12), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Apr 5), Potatoes (Apr 12), Sunflowers (Apr 26). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 12), Swiss Chard (Apr 12), Bok Choy (Apr 19), Cauliflower (Apr 19), Cosmos (Apr 26), Lavender (Apr 26), +4 more. Last frost around April 26. |
| May | Direct sow from: Beans (May 3), Pole Beans (May 3). Transplant from: Celery (May 3), Chives (May 3), Corn (May 3), Okra (May 3), Oregano (May 3), Parsley (May 3), +17 more. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 7), Pumpkin (Jun 7), Cantaloupe (Jun 15), Celery (Jun 15), Melons (Jun 15), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 17), +5 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Corn (Jul 2), Sunflowers (Jul 14), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 19), Pole Beans (Jul 19), Basil (Jul 24), Cosmos (Jul 24), +9 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Marigolds (Aug 3), Parsley (Aug 4), Peas (Aug 9), Cabbage (Aug 18), Carrots (Aug 18), Beets (Aug 19), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Kale (Sep 2), Kohlrabi (Sep 2), Turnip (Sep 7), Arugula (Sep 17), Spinach (Sep 17), Radish (Sep 18). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 20). First frost around October 20. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 10). |
| 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 88011)?
The median last spring frost date for Las Cruces, NM (ZIP code 88011) is around April 26. 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 11; one in ten it runs past May 12.
What is the first fall frost date in Las Cruces, NM?
The median first fall frost date for Las Cruces, NM is around October 20. 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 6 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 177 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 (177 frost-free days, a moderate 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 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 Las Cruces, NM?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 22 and plant out May 10 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 29 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Oct 27.
When do I plant garlic in Las Cruces?
Oct 20 to Nov 10; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Las Cruces (ZIP 88001) has 229 frost-free days, 52 more than Las Cruces (ZIP 88011). See Las Cruces ZIP 88001 frost dates
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- When to plant in Las Cruces, NM: month-by-month guide
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- When to plant Cucumbers in NM
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- When to plant Butternut Squash in NM
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