When is the last frost in Roswell, NM?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Roswell is around April 20, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Bitter Lakes Wl Refuge, NM station (22.7 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 Roswell?

The average first fall frost in Roswell, NM is around October 20, giving roughly a 181-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Roswell, NM?

Roswell is in USDA plant hardiness zone 7b (average annual extreme minimum temperature 5 to 10°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Roswell?

In Roswell, NM the warmest month is July (avg high 95.6°F) and the coldest is December (avg low 21°F). It averages about 13.3″ of precipitation a year and 3.6″ of snow.

Home › New Mexico › Roswell

Roswell, NM Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 7b · ZIP 88203 · elevation 1117′ · NOAA & USDA data

Roswell is in USDA hardiness zone 7b (winters can dip to 5 to 10°F), with a growing season of about 181 days between the average last spring frost (April 20) and first fall frost (October 20). The warmest month is July (avg high 95.6°F); the coldest is December (avg low 21°F). It averages 13.3″ of precipitation a year and 3.6″ 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 5 to 10°F

Last spring frost

April 20

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

October 20

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

181 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 95.6°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Roswell

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Bitter Lakes Wl Refuge, NM (22.7 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	56.5	21.2	38.9	0.3	1.2
February	62	25.5	43.7	0.4	0.4
March	70.3	32.4	51.4	0.6	0
April	78.1	40.8	59.5	0.6	0
May	86.5	50.2	68.3	1.5	0
June	95.1	59.8	77.5	1.4	0
July	95.6	64.4	80	2.3	0
August	93.9	62.6	78.3	1.7	0
September	87.1	54.5	70.8	1.8	0
October	77.2	41.5	59.3	1.5	0.4
November	65.2	28.7	47	0.5	0.6
December	56.4	21	38.7	0.5	1

What to plant when in Roswell

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: March 9 · Transplant out: April 27
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 23 · Transplant out: May 4
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: April 27
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: April 27
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: April 27
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: April 27
Basil	warm	Transplant out: April 27
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): March 16 · Sow (fall): August 25
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): March 9 · Sow (fall): August 25
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): March 23 · Sow (fall): August 25
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): March 30 · Sow (fall): August 11
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): April 6
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): March 30 · Sow (fall): August 11
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): March 23
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: April 6
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): March 23 · Sow (fall): September 8

Dates are computed from Roswell'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.

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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.

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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 — Bitter Lakes Wl Refuge, NM, 22.7 mi (confidence: medium). Monthly weather normals: Bitter Lakes Wl Refuge, NM, 22.7 mi (confidence: medium). 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.