Fall in zone 7bPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 87939 (Sierra 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, Truth Or Consequence AP, NM (10 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMar 2250% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 950% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)230 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone7b5 to 10°F avg. coldest night
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Frost and freeze alerts from the NWS forecast for 87939, 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 87939 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
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Nov 9: 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 4 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Mar 22 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Apr 10 |
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 27 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 9 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 22 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 7 | Nov 1 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Mar 22 | Nov 9 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Mar 4 | Nov 19 |
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 87939
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Mar 22) and first fall frost (Nov 9). 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 25–Feb 8 | Mar 29–Apr 12 (transplant) | Jul 13–Aug 10 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Jan 11–25 | Apr 5–19 (transplant) | Jul 20–Aug 10 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Jan 11–25 | Apr 5–19 (transplant) | Jul 20–Aug 10 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Jan 25–Feb 8 | Mar 29–Apr 12 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Jan 25–Feb 8 | Mar 1–22 (transplant) Feb 22–Apr 5 (sow outdoors) | Sep 14–Oct 5 (transplant) Aug 31–Sep 28 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Feb 8–Mar 1 (sow outdoors) | Sep 14–Oct 5 (sowing) |
| Kale | Jan 25–Feb 8 | Feb 22–Mar 8 (transplant) Feb 22–Mar 8 (sow outdoors) | Aug 17–Sep 14 (transplant) Aug 3–31 (sowing) |
| Collards | Jan 25–Feb 8 | Feb 22–Mar 22 (transplant) Feb 22–Mar 22 (sow outdoors) | Aug 17–Sep 14 (transplant) Aug 3–31 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Jan 11–25 | Feb 22–Mar 8 (transplant) | Aug 3–31 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Jan 11–25 | Feb 22–Mar 8 (transplant) | Aug 3–31 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Jan 11–25 | Mar 8–22 (transplant) | Aug 3–31 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Dec 28–Jan 11 | Feb 22–Mar 8 (transplant) | Jul 20–Aug 10 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Jan 25–Feb 8 | Feb 22–Mar 8 (transplant) Feb 22–Mar 8 (sow outdoors) | Aug 31–Sep 14 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Feb 22–Mar 8 (sow outdoors) | Sep 14–28 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Feb 22–Mar 22 (sow outdoors) | Sep 14–Oct 12 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Feb 22–Mar 15 (sow outdoors) | Sep 14–28 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Feb 8–22 | Mar 8–29 (transplant) Mar 8–Apr 5 (sow outdoors) | Aug 31–Sep 14 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Feb 22–Mar 22 (sow outdoors) | Aug 31–Sep 14 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Mar 1–29 (sow outdoors) | Aug 17–31 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Feb 15–Mar 29 (sow outdoors) | Sep 28–Oct 12 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Feb 22–Mar 15 (sow outdoors) | Aug 31–Sep 14 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Mar 1–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Jan 25–Feb 22 (sow outdoors) | Aug 17–31 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Dec 28–Jan 11 | Feb 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Feb 8–Mar 8 (sow outdoors) | Aug 31–Sep 14 (sowing) |
| Leek | Dec 28–Jan 11 | Feb 22–Mar 8 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 28–Oct 26 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Feb 8–22 (transplant) | Sep 28–Oct 26 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Feb 22–Mar 8 (transplant) | Jul 20–Aug 3 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Apr 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Mar 29–Apr 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Mar 29–Apr 12 (sow outdoors) | Aug 17–31 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Mar 29–Apr 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Apr 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Apr 12–May 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Feb 22–Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 (transplant) Mar 29–Apr 12 (sow outdoors) | Aug 17–31 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Feb 22–Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 (transplant) Mar 29–Apr 12 (sow outdoors) | Aug 17–31 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Feb 22–Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 (transplant) Mar 29–Apr 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Mar 29–Apr 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Feb 22–Mar 1 | Apr 5–19 (transplant) Apr 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Feb 22–Mar 1 | Apr 5–19 (transplant) Apr 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Feb 8–22 | Apr 5–19 (transplant) Apr 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Dec 28–Jan 11 | Mar 29–Apr 5 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Feb 8–22 | Mar 29–Apr 12 (transplant) Mar 29–Apr 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Mar 8–Apr 5 (sow outdoors) | Sep 14–28 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Jan 11–25 | Mar 8–22 (transplant) Mar 1–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Mar 22–Apr 5 (sow outdoors) | Sep 14–28 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Mar 22–Apr 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Feb 22–Mar 8 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Feb 22–Mar 8 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Feb 22–Mar 8 (transplant) | Aug 31–Sep 28 (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: Truth Or Consequence AP, NM (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USW00093045), elevation 4,850 ft, 10.3 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Truth Or Consequences, NM | 18 mi | Mar 30 | Nov 5 |
| Elephant Butte Dam, NM | 18 mi | Mar 13 | Nov 15 |
| Winston, NM | 18 mi | May 10 | Oct 8 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 59 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 87939
When is the last frost in 87939?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 87939 is March 22. For a more cautious planting date, use April 10, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 87939?
The average first fall freeze is November 9. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 27.
What hardiness zone is 87939?
ZIP 87939 is in USDA zone 7b (5 to 10°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 87939 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
87935 Truth or Consequences 87943 Winston 87942 Las Palomas 87901 Truth or Consequences 87931 Oasis 87930 Arrey 87933 88042 Hillsboro
Other ZIP codes in Sierra County
87901 87930 87931 87933 87935 87942 87943 88042 All Sierra 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.