Capitan, NM Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Capitan garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
May 3
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 12
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
162 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 7b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Apr 20 May 3 May 17
First fall frost Oct 23 Oct 12 Oct 1
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Apr 24 · first Oct 24

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the CAPITAN station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Capitan

Computed from Capitan's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-7 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Mar 8 – Mar 22 May 10 – May 17
🫑 Peppers Feb 22 – Mar 8 May 17 – May 24
🥬 Lettuce Mar 22 – Apr 5 Apr 5 – Apr 19 Apr 5 – May 3
🫛 Peas Mar 22 – Apr 5
🥕 Carrots Apr 12 – May 3
🥦 Broccoli Mar 15 – Mar 29 Apr 12 – Apr 26
🥬 Kale Mar 22 – Apr 5 Apr 5 – Apr 19 Apr 5 – Apr 19
🥒 Cucumbers Apr 5 – Apr 12 May 10 – May 17 May 10 – May 17
🥒 Zucchini Apr 5 – Apr 12 May 10 – May 17 May 10 – May 17
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) May 10 – May 17
🌽 Sweet Corn May 10 – May 17
🌿 Basil Mar 22 – Apr 5 May 10 – May 17 May 17 – May 24
🧄 Garlic Fall: Aug 31 – Sep 28

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Capitan's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Capitan

Roughly 162 frost-free days gives Capitan gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after May 3; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 12 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Capitan, NM?

The average last spring frost in Capitan is around May 3, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Capitan, NM?

The average first fall frost in Capitan arrives around Oct 12. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Capitan?

About 162 frost-free days on average, from May 3 to Oct 12. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Capitan in?

USDA zone 7b on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.