Fall in zone 6aPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 87512 (Taos County, NM)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Red River, NM (15 miles away).
- Average last spring frostJun 1950% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostSep 750% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)77 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone6a-10 to -5°F avg. coldest night
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Frost and freeze alerts from the NWS forecast for 87512, the spring soil-temperature heads-up for pre-emergent, and a short weekly yard-timing email.
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
4-inch depth
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 87512 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
No soil reading near this ZIP. Typical extension timing for your region: spring mid-April to mid-May.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: Mountain West and High Plains. Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Kentucky bluegrass (cool-season): Early fall: Around Labor Day (late August–September); Late fall: Late October–November, before the ground freezes; Late spring: Optional around Memorial Day. Avoid: Early-spring and midsummer feeding (pushes top growth, favors crabgrass).
Plant now
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Jun 5 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Jun 19 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Jul 3 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Aug 17 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Sep 7 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Sep 18 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | n/a | n/a |
| 32°F (freeze) | Jun 19 | Sep 7 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jun 2 | Sep 20 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 87512
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Jun 19) and first fall frost (Sep 7). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 24–May 8 | Jun 26–Jul 10 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Apr 10–24 | Jul 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Apr 10–24 | Jul 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Apr 24–May 8 | Jun 26–Jul 10 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Apr 24–May 8 | May 29–Jun 19 (transplant) May 22–Jul 3 (sow outdoors) | Jul 13–Aug 3 (transplant) |
| Spinach | – | May 8–29 (sow outdoors) | Jul 13–Aug 3 (sowing) |
| Kale | Apr 24–May 8 | May 22–Jun 5 (transplant) May 22–Jun 5 (sow outdoors) | Jun 15–Jul 13 (transplant) |
| Collards | Apr 24–May 8 | May 22–Jun 19 (transplant) May 22–Jun 19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Broccoli | Apr 10–24 | May 22–Jun 5 (transplant) | – |
| Cabbage | Apr 10–24 | May 22–Jun 5 (transplant) | – |
| Cauliflower | Apr 10–24 | Jun 5–19 (transplant) | – |
| Brussels sprouts | Mar 27–Apr 10 | May 22–Jun 5 (transplant) | – |
| Kohlrabi | Apr 24–May 8 | May 22–Jun 5 (transplant) May 22–Jun 5 (sow outdoors) | Jun 29–Jul 13 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | May 22–Jun 5 (sow outdoors) | Jul 13–27 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | May 22–Jun 19 (sow outdoors) | Jul 13–Aug 10 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | May 22–Jun 12 (sow outdoors) | Jul 13–27 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | May 8–22 | Jun 5–26 (transplant) Jun 5–Jul 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Beet | – | May 22–Jun 19 (sow outdoors) | Jun 29–Jul 13 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | May 29–Jun 26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Radish | – | May 15–Jun 26 (sow outdoors) | Jul 27–Aug 10 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | May 22–Jun 12 (sow outdoors) | Jun 29–Jul 13 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | May 29–Jun 19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Apr 24–May 22 (sow outdoors) | Jun 15–29 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Mar 27–Apr 10 | May 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | May 8–Jun 5 (sow outdoors) | Jun 29–Jul 13 (sowing) |
| Leek | Mar 27–Apr 10 | May 22–Jun 5 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Jul 27–Aug 24 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | May 8–22 (transplant) | Jul 27–Aug 24 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | May 22–Jun 5 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet potato | – | Jul 10–24 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Jun 26–Jul 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Jun 26–Jul 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | Jun 26–Jul 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Jul 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jul 10–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | May 22–29 | Jun 26–Jul 10 (transplant) Jun 26–Jul 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | May 22–29 | Jun 26–Jul 10 (transplant) Jun 26–Jul 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | May 22–29 | Jun 26–Jul 10 (transplant) Jun 26–Jul 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Jun 26–Jul 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | May 22–29 | Jul 3–17 (transplant) Jul 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | May 22–29 | Jul 3–17 (transplant) Jul 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | May 8–22 | Jul 3–17 (transplant) Jul 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Mar 27–Apr 10 | Jun 26–Jul 3 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | May 8–22 | Jun 26–Jul 10 (transplant) Jun 26–Jul 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Jun 5–Jul 3 (sow outdoors) | Jul 13–27 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Apr 10–24 | Jun 5–19 (transplant) May 29–Jun 19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Jun 19–Jul 3 (sow outdoors) | Jul 13–27 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Jun 19–Jul 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | May 22–Jun 5 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | May 22–Jun 5 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | May 22–Jun 5 (transplant) | Jun 29–Jul 27 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Red River, NM (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00297323), elevation 8,667 ft, 15.3 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cerro, NM | 19 mi | May 31 | Sep 26 |
| San Luis 1 S, CO | 19 mi | May 31 | Sep 23 |
| Eagle Nest, NM | 26 mi | Jun 16 | Sep 14 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 19 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 87512
When is the last frost in 87512?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 87512 is June 19. For a more cautious planting date, use July 3, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 87512?
The average first fall freeze is September 7. In 1 year in 10 it comes by August 17.
What hardiness zone is 87512?
ZIP 87512 is in USDA zone 6a (-10 to -5°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 87512 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
87524 Costilla 87556 Questa 81152 San Luis 81126 81138 87558 Red River 87519 87718 Eagle Nest
Other ZIP codes in Taos County
87513 87514 87517 87519 87524 87525 87529 87531 87543 87553 87556 87557 87558 87564 87571 87579 87580 All Taos County frost dates · New Mexico frost dates
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Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
- Freeze alerts
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- Weekly yard to-dos
Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.