When is the last frost in Las Cruces, NM?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Las Cruces is around March 12, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the State Univ, NM station (0.7 mi away). Half of years it falls outside that date, so wait 1–2 weeks past it before setting out frost-tender plants.

When is the first fall frost in Las Cruces?

The average first fall frost in Las Cruces, NM is around November 13, giving roughly a 241-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Las Cruces, NM?

Las Cruces is in USDA plant hardiness zone 8b (average annual extreme minimum temperature 15 to 20°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Las Cruces?

In Las Cruces, NM the warmest month is June (avg high 96.2°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 29.6°F). It averages about 9.1″ of precipitation a year and 1″ of snow.

Home › New Mexico › Las Cruces

Las Cruces, NM Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 8b · ZIP 88001 · elevation 1185′ · NOAA & USDA data

Las Cruces is in USDA hardiness zone 8b (winters can dip to 15 to 20°F), with a growing season of about 241 days between the average last spring frost (March 12) and first fall frost (November 13). The warmest month is June (avg high 96.2°F); the coldest is January (avg low 29.6°F). It averages 9.1″ of precipitation a year and 1″ of snow, mostly mid-winter. Start cool-season crops several weeks before the last frost; wait until after it for tomatoes, peppers and other tender crops.

Hardiness zone

min temp 15 to 20°F

Last spring frost

March 12

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

November 13

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

241 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

June

avg high 96.2°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Las Cruces

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at State Univ, NM (0.7 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	58.9	29.6	44.2	0.5	0.4
February	64.1	33.5	48.8	0.4	0.1
March	71.3	39.2	55.2	0.3	0
April	78.5	45.7	62.1	0.2	0
May	87.1	54.2	70.6	0.4	0
June	96.2	63.7	80	0.7	0
July	95.6	69.1	82.4	1.8	0
August	93.6	67.7	80.6	1.7	0
September	88.4	61.1	74.8	1.4	0
October	79.6	48.3	64	0.8	0.1
November	67.9	36.6	52.2	0.4	0
December	58.1	29.7	43.9	0.6	0.4

What to plant when in Las Cruces

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: January 29 · Transplant out: March 19
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: January 15 · Transplant out: March 26
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: March 19
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: March 19
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: March 19
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: March 19
Basil	warm	Transplant out: March 19
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): February 5 · Sow (fall): September 18
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): January 29 · Sow (fall): September 18
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): February 12 · Sow (fall): September 18
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): February 19 · Sow (fall): September 4
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): February 26
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): February 19 · Sow (fall): September 4
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): February 12
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: February 26
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): February 12 · Sow (fall): October 2

Dates are computed from Las Cruces's average frost dates using standard cool-/warm-season timing. They're a starting point — a cold spring, a warm microclimate, or a fast-maturing variety can shift them by a week or two.

Want the exact dates for your yard? →
Look up your precise ZIP-code frost dates and a full 26-crop planting calendar on our free interactive tool.
Open the frost & planting tool

🌾 Get a frost reminder

One email in early spring and early fall with the dates for your area. No spam.

Gear that helps you plant on time

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links (tag theboringthin-20). If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps this almanac free. We only list generic, genuinely-useful categories.

Soil thermometer →Know when the ground is warm enough to sow — the honest signal, not the calendar.Seed-starting trays + dome →Start tomatoes & peppers indoors on the schedule below.Seedling heat mat →Warms the soil for faster, more even germination indoors.Floating row cover / frost cloth →Buys you 4–8°F to beat an early or late frost.Raised garden bed kit →Warms and drains faster in spring than in-ground soil.Garden gloves →Basic kit for transplant day.

Nearby cities in New Mexico

Roswell, NM Albuquerque, NM Rio Rancho, NM Santa Fe, NM Clovis, NM Farmington, NM

Sources & method. Hardiness zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). Frost dates & growing season: NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest station with published freeze normals — State Univ, NM, 0.7 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: State Univ, NM, 0.7 mi (confidence: high). ZIP centroid from U.S. Census 2023 ZCTA data. Frost dates are the 50%-probability date — half of years frost occurs outside the stated date. Nothing here is invented; where the nearest station is far, we say so. Last updated 2026-07-22.