Thoreau 12 SE, NM Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Thoreau 12 SE garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
May 29
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Sep 26
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
120 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 6a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost May 11 May 29 Jun 12
First fall frost Oct 6 Sep 26 Sep 13
Hard freeze (28°F), median last May 15 · first Oct 3

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the THOREAU 12 SE 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 Thoreau 12 SE

Computed from Thoreau 12 SE's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-6 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Apr 3 – Apr 17 Jun 5 – Jun 12
🫑 Peppers Mar 20 – Apr 3 Jun 12 – Jun 19
🥬 Lettuce Apr 17 – May 1 May 1 – May 15 May 1 – May 29
🫛 Peas Apr 17 – May 1
🥕 Carrots May 8 – May 29
🥦 Broccoli Apr 10 – Apr 24 May 8 – May 22
🥬 Kale Apr 17 – May 1 May 1 – May 15 May 1 – May 15
🥒 Cucumbers May 1 – May 8 Jun 5 – Jun 12 Jun 5 – Jun 12
🥒 Zucchini May 1 – May 8 Jun 5 – Jun 12 Jun 5 – Jun 12
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Jun 5 – Jun 12
🌽 Sweet Corn Jun 5 – Jun 12
🌿 Basil Apr 17 – May 1 Jun 5 – Jun 12 Jun 12 – Jun 19
🧄 Garlic Fall: Aug 15 – Sep 12

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 Thoreau 12 SE's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Thoreau 12 SE

At about 120 frost-free days, Thoreau 12 SE rewards efficiency: start warm-season crops indoors, favor short-season varieties, and lean on cold-tolerant crops — peas, kale, roots — that shrug off the shoulder-season frosts on either end.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Thoreau 12 SE, NM?

The average last spring frost in Thoreau 12 SE is around May 29, 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 Thoreau 12 SE, NM?

The average first fall frost in Thoreau 12 SE arrives around Sep 26. 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 Thoreau 12 SE?

About 120 frost-free days on average, from May 29 to Sep 26. That favors short-season varieties and transplants for warm-season crops, with cool-season vegetables doing the heavy lifting in spring and fall.

What USDA zone is Thoreau 12 SE in?

USDA zone 6a 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.