Last frost date in Portales, New Mexico
April 15
Average last frost in spring. In an early year (1 in 10) it's over by March 30; in a late year (1 in 10) it comes after April 30.
October 26
Average first frost in fall. 1 year in 10 it comes by October 12.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Portales (USC00297008), 0.3 miles from Portales, elevation 4,010 ft. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. These are long-term averages, not a forecast.
| Early year | Average | Late year | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last frost in spring | Mar 30 | Apr 15 | Apr 30 |
| First frost in fall | Oct 12 | Oct 26 | Nov 7 |
An early or late year is one in 10: 1 year in 10 the frost comes before the early date, and 1 year in 10 after the late date.
Frost-free days in an average year: 193
Planting calendar for Portales
Fall planting
USDA dates for places whose average first freeze is about October 30 (Portales: October 26).
- Black-eyed peasJune 1 – Aug 1 (past for this year)
- CucumbersJune 1 – Aug 1 (past for this year)
- Eggplant plantsJune 1 – July 1 (past for this year)
- New Zealand spinachJune 1 – Aug 1 (past for this year)
- OkraJune 1 – Aug 10 (past for this year)
- Peppers plantsJune 1 – July 20 (past for this year)
- SalsifyJune 1 – July 10 (past for this year)
- SoybeansJune 1 – July 15 (past for this year)
- Summer squashJune 1 – Aug 1 (past for this year)
- Sweet cornJune 1 – Aug 1 (past for this year)
- Sweet potatoesJune 1 – 15 (past for this year)
- Swiss chardJune 1 – Sept 10 (past for this year)
- TomatoesJune 1 – July 1 (past for this year)
- Winter squashJune 10 – July 10 (past for this year)
- Celery and celeriac plantsJune 15 – Aug 15 (past for this year)
- Broccoli plantsJuly 1 – Aug 15 (past for this year)
- Brussels sprouts plantsJuly 1 – Aug 15 (past for this year)
- Cantaloupe (muskmelon)July 1 – 15 (past for this year)
- CarrotsJuly 1 – Aug 15 (past for this year)
- Florence fennelJuly 1 – Aug 1 (past for this year)
- Lima beansJuly 1 – Aug 1 (past for this year)
- Snap beansJuly 1 – Aug 15 (past for this year)
- WatermelonJuly 1 – 15 (past for this year)
- Witloof chicoryJuly 1 – Aug 10 (past for this year)
- Cauliflower plantsJuly 15 – Aug 15 (past for this year)
- EndiveJuly 15 – Aug 15 (past for this year)
- KaleJuly 15 – Sept 1 (past for this year)
- RutabagaJuly 15 – Aug 1 (past for this year)
- PotatoesJuly 20 – Aug 10 (past for this year)
- BeetsAug 1 – Sept 1 (past for this year)
- Cabbage plantsAug 1 – Sept 1 (past for this year)
- Chinese cabbageAug 1 – Sept 15 (past for this year)
- Collards plantsAug 1 – Sept 15 (past for this year)
- Garden peasAug 1 – Sept 15 (past for this year)
- Head lettuce plantsAug 1 – Sept 15 (past for this year)
- KohlrabiAug 1 – Sept 1 (past for this year)
- ParsleyAug 1 – Sept 15 (past for this year)
- SorrelAug 1 – Sept 15 (past for this year)
- TurnipsAug 1 – Sept 15 (past for this year)
- DandelionAug 15 – Oct 1 (past for this year)
- Leaf lettuceAug 15 – Oct 1 (past for this year)
- Mustard greensAug 15 – Oct 15 (past for this year)
- RadishesAug 15 – Oct 15 (past for this year)
- SpinachSept 1 – Oct 1 (past for this year)
- Corn saladSept 15 – Nov 1Now
- Upland cressSept 15 – Nov 1Now
- Rhubarb plantsNov 1 – Dec 1Soon
- Asparagus plantsNov 15 – Jan 1Soon
USDA lists chervil and chives, garlic, horseradish, leeks, parsnips, shallots as generally spring-planted here.
Spring planting
USDA dates for places whose average last freeze is about April 10 (Portales: April 15).
- Corn saladFeb 1 – Apr 1
- SpinachFeb 15 – Apr 1
- Garden peasFeb 20 – Mar 20
- GarlicFeb 20 – Mar 20
- Cabbage plantsMar 1 – Apr 1
- Cauliflower plantsMar 1 – 20
- Chervil and chivesMar 1 – Apr 1
- Collards plantsMar 1 – June 1
- DandelionMar 1 – Apr 1
- LeeksMar 1 – Apr 1
- Onion plants plantsMar 1 – Apr 1
- Onion seedMar 1 – Apr 1
- Onion setsMar 1 – Apr 1
- RadishesMar 1 – May 1
- Rhubarb plantsMar 1 – Apr 1
- ShallotsMar 1 – Apr 1
- SorrelMar 1 – Apr 15
- TurnipsMar 1 – Apr 1
- Asparagus plantsMar 10 – Apr 10
- BeetsMar 10 – June 1
- CarrotsMar 10 – Apr 20
- Head lettuce plantsMar 10 – Apr 1
- Horseradish plantsMar 10 – Apr 10
- KaleMar 10 – Apr 1
- KohlrabiMar 10 – Apr 10
- Mustard greensMar 10 – Apr 20
- ParsleyMar 10 – Apr 10
- ParsnipsMar 10 – Apr 10
- PotatoesMar 10 – Apr 1
- SalsifyMar 10 – Apr 15
- Upland cressMar 10 – Apr 15
- Broccoli plantsMar 15 – Apr 15
- Brussels sprouts plantsMar 15 – Apr 15
- EndiveMar 15 – Apr 15
- Florence fennelMar 15 – Apr 15
- Leaf lettuceMar 15 – May 15
- Swiss chardMar 15 – June 15
- Celery and celeriac plantsApr 1 – 20
- Lima beansApr 1 – June 30
- Snap beansApr 10 – June 30
- Sweet cornApr 10 – June 1
- Cantaloupe (muskmelon)Apr 20 – June 1
- CucumbersApr 20 – June 1
- New Zealand spinachApr 20 – June 1
- OkraApr 20 – June 15
- Summer squashApr 20 – June 1
- TomatoesApr 20 – June 1
- WatermelonApr 20 – June 1
- Black-eyed peasMay 1 – July 1
- Eggplant plantsMay 1 – June 1
- Peppers plantsMay 1 – June 1
- SoybeansMay 1 – June 30
- Sweet potatoesMay 1 – June 1
- Witloof chicoryJune 10 – July 1
USDA lists chinese cabbage as generally fall-planted here.
Planting dates: USDA Home and Garden Bulletin No. 9 (1967), “Suburban and Farm Vegetable Gardens,” tables 4 and 5 (earliest safe spring and latest safe fall dates), applied to this place's NOAA frost dates. “Plants” means setting out transplants, not sowing seed. How we match the table.