Fall in zone 5bPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 87518 (Rio Arriba 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, El Vado Dam, NM (11 miles away).
- Average last spring frostJun 1350% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostSep 1850% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)94 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone5b-15 to -10°F avg. coldest night
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Frost and freeze alerts from the NWS forecast for 87518, 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
50°F Below 50°F
24-hour average · latest 44°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Alcalde (40 mi), Los Alamos 13 W (46 mi).
4-inch depth
52°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 50°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Alcalde (40 mi), Los Alamos 13 W (46 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 87518 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 52°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent window is mostly past. Next: spring, when soil reaches 50°F (typically 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) | May 31 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Jun 13 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Jul 1 |
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) | Sep 5 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Sep 18 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Sep 29 |
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 13 | Sep 18 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | May 28 | Sep 26 |
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 87518
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Jun 13) and first fall frost (Sep 18). 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 18–May 2 | Jun 20–Jul 4 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Apr 4–18 | Jun 27–Jul 11 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Apr 4–18 | Jun 27–Jul 11 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Apr 18–May 2 | Jun 20–Jul 4 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Apr 18–May 2 | May 23–Jun 13 (transplant) May 16–Jun 27 (sow outdoors) | Jul 24–Aug 14 (transplant) Jul 10–Aug 7 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | May 2–23 (sow outdoors) | Jul 24–Aug 14 (sowing) |
| Kale | Apr 18–May 2 | May 16–30 (transplant) May 16–30 (sow outdoors) | Jun 26–Jul 24 (transplant) Jun 12–Jul 10 (sowing) |
| Collards | Apr 18–May 2 | May 16–Jun 13 (transplant) May 16–Jun 13 (sow outdoors) | Jun 26–Jul 24 (transplant) |
| Broccoli | Apr 4–18 | May 16–30 (transplant) | Jun 12–Jul 10 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Apr 4–18 | May 16–30 (transplant) | Jun 12–Jul 10 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Apr 4–18 | May 30–Jun 13 (transplant) | – |
| Brussels sprouts | Mar 21–Apr 4 | May 16–30 (transplant) | – |
| Kohlrabi | Apr 18–May 2 | May 16–30 (transplant) May 16–30 (sow outdoors) | Jul 10–24 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | May 16–30 (sow outdoors) | Jul 24–Aug 7 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | May 16–Jun 13 (sow outdoors) | Jul 24–Aug 21 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | May 16–Jun 6 (sow outdoors) | Jul 24–Aug 7 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | May 2–16 | May 30–Jun 20 (transplant) May 30–Jun 27 (sow outdoors) | Jul 10–24 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | May 16–Jun 13 (sow outdoors) | Jul 10–24 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | May 23–Jun 20 (sow outdoors) | Jun 26–Jul 10 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | May 9–Jun 20 (sow outdoors) | Aug 7–21 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | May 16–Jun 6 (sow outdoors) | Jul 10–24 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | May 23–Jun 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Apr 18–May 16 (sow outdoors) | Jun 26–Jul 10 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Mar 21–Apr 4 | May 2–16 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | May 2–30 (sow outdoors) | Jul 10–24 (sowing) |
| Leek | Mar 21–Apr 4 | May 16–30 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Aug 7–Sep 4 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | May 2–16 (transplant) | Aug 7–Sep 4 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | May 16–30 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet potato | – | Jul 4–18 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Jun 20–Jul 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Jun 20–Jul 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | Jun 20–Jul 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Jun 27–Jul 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jul 4–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | May 16–23 | Jun 20–Jul 4 (transplant) Jun 20–Jul 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | May 16–23 | Jun 20–Jul 4 (transplant) Jun 20–Jul 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | May 16–23 | Jun 20–Jul 4 (transplant) Jun 20–Jul 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Jun 20–Jul 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | May 16–23 | Jun 27–Jul 11 (transplant) Jun 27–Jul 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | May 16–23 | Jun 27–Jul 11 (transplant) Jun 27–Jul 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | May 2–16 | Jun 27–Jul 11 (transplant) Jun 27–Jul 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Mar 21–Apr 4 | Jun 20–27 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | May 2–16 | Jun 20–Jul 4 (transplant) Jun 20–Jul 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | May 30–Jun 27 (sow outdoors) | Jul 24–Aug 7 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Apr 4–18 | May 30–Jun 13 (transplant) May 23–Jun 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Jun 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Jul 24–Aug 7 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Jun 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | May 16–30 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | May 16–30 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | May 16–30 (transplant) | Jul 10–Aug 7 (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: El Vado Dam, NM (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00292837), elevation 6,740 ft, 11.3 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brazos Lodge, NM | 16 mi | May 20 | Oct 4 |
| Tierra Amarilla 4 N, NM | 17 mi | Jun 11 | Sep 20 |
| Abiquiu Dam, NM | 20 mi | Apr 29 | Oct 16 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 46 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 87518
When is the last frost in 87518?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 87518 is June 13. For a more cautious planting date, use July 1, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 87518?
The average first fall freeze is September 18. In 1 year in 10 it comes by September 5.
What hardiness zone is 87518?
ZIP 87518 is in USDA zone 5b (-15 to -10°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 87518 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
87575 Tierra Amarilla 87515 Canjilon 87510 Abiquiu 87551 Los Ojos 87017 Gallina 87581 87530 El Rito 87064 Youngsville
Other ZIP codes in Rio Arriba County
87012 87017 87029 87046 87064 87412 87510 87511 87515 87516 87520 87521 87523 87527 87528 87530 87532 87537 87539 87548 87549 87551 87554 87566 All Rio Arriba 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.