Fall in zone 8aPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 87936 (Garfield, 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, Caballo Dam, NM (10 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMar 2550% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 650% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)224 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone8a10 to 15°F avg. coldest night
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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
64°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 62°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Las Cruces 20 N (32 mi), Jornada Exp Range (35 mi).
4-inch depth
65°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 66°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Las Cruces 20 N (32 mi), Jornada Exp Range (35 mi).
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 87936 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 65°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): window open as soil cools through the 70s and 60s.
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
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Nov 6: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
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) | Mar 5 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Mar 25 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Apr 17 |
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) | Oct 24 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 6 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 21 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 14 | Oct 28 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Mar 25 | Nov 6 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Mar 7 | Nov 18 |
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 87936
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Mar 25) and first fall frost (Nov 6). 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 | Jan 28–Feb 11 | Apr 1–15 (transplant) | Jul 10–Aug 7 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Jan 14–28 | Apr 8–22 (transplant) | Jul 17–Aug 7 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Jan 14–28 | Apr 8–22 (transplant) | Jul 17–Aug 7 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Jan 28–Feb 11 | Apr 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Jan 28–Feb 11 | Mar 4–25 (transplant) Feb 25–Apr 8 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–Oct 2 (transplant) Aug 28–Sep 25 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Feb 11–Mar 4 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–Oct 2 (sowing) |
| Kale | Jan 28–Feb 11 | Feb 25–Mar 11 (transplant) Feb 25–Mar 11 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–Sep 11 (transplant) Jul 31–Aug 28 (sowing) |
| Collards | Jan 28–Feb 11 | Feb 25–Mar 25 (transplant) Feb 25–Mar 25 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–Sep 11 (transplant) Jul 31–Aug 28 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Jan 14–28 | Feb 25–Mar 11 (transplant) | Jul 31–Aug 28 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Jan 14–28 | Feb 25–Mar 11 (transplant) | Jul 31–Aug 28 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Jan 14–28 | Mar 11–25 (transplant) | Jul 31–Aug 28 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Dec 31–Jan 14 | Feb 25–Mar 11 (transplant) | Jul 17–Aug 7 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Jan 28–Feb 11 | Feb 25–Mar 11 (transplant) Feb 25–Mar 11 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Feb 25–Mar 11 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–25 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Feb 25–Mar 25 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–Oct 9 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Feb 25–Mar 18 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–25 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Feb 11–25 | Mar 11–Apr 1 (transplant) Mar 11–Apr 8 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Feb 25–Mar 25 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Mar 4–Apr 1 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–28 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Feb 18–Apr 1 (sow outdoors) | Sep 25–Oct 9 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Feb 25–Mar 18 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Mar 4–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Jan 28–Feb 25 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–28 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Dec 31–Jan 14 | Feb 11–25 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Feb 11–Mar 11 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Leek | Dec 31–Jan 14 | Feb 25–Mar 11 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 25–Oct 23 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Feb 11–25 (transplant) | Sep 25–Oct 23 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Feb 25–Mar 11 (transplant) | Jul 17–31 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Apr 15–29 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Apr 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Apr 1–15 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–28 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Apr 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Apr 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Apr 15–May 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Feb 25–Mar 4 | Apr 1–15 (transplant) Apr 1–15 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–28 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Feb 25–Mar 4 | Apr 1–15 (transplant) Apr 1–15 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–28 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Feb 25–Mar 4 | Apr 1–15 (transplant) Apr 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Apr 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Feb 25–Mar 4 | Apr 8–22 (transplant) Apr 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Feb 25–Mar 4 | Apr 8–22 (transplant) Apr 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Feb 11–25 | Apr 8–22 (transplant) Apr 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Dec 31–Jan 14 | Apr 1–8 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Feb 11–25 | Apr 1–15 (transplant) Apr 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Mar 11–Apr 8 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–25 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Jan 14–28 | Mar 11–25 (transplant) Mar 4–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Mar 25–Apr 8 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–25 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Mar 25–Apr 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Feb 25–Mar 11 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Feb 25–Mar 11 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Feb 25–Mar 11 (transplant) | Aug 28–Sep 25 (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: Caballo Dam, NM (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00291286), elevation 4,239 ft, 10.3 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hillsboro, NM | 21 mi | Apr 23 | Oct 23 |
| Truth Or Consequences, NM | 26 mi | Mar 30 | Nov 5 |
| Elephant Butte Dam, NM | 28 mi | Mar 13 | Nov 15 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 41 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 87936
When is the last frost in 87936?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 87936 is March 25. For a more cautious planting date, use April 17, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 87936?
The average first fall freeze is November 6. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 24.
What hardiness zone is 87936?
ZIP 87936 is in USDA zone 8a (10 to 15°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 87936 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
87933 87941 Salem 87930 Arrey 87937 Hatch 87931 Oasis 87940 Rincon 88042 Hillsboro 87942 Las Palomas
Other ZIP codes in Doña Ana County
87937 87940 87941 88001 88002 88003 88004 88005 88007 88008 88011 88012 88021 88024 88027 88044 88046 88047 88048 88052 88063 88072 All Doña Ana 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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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.