Alamogordo, NM planting zone & frost dates
Alamogordo is in USDA hardiness zone 8a. The last spring frost usually comes around March 9 and the first fall frost around November 18, for a growing season of about 251 days.
Planting calendar for Alamogordo
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 9) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Jan 12 – Jan 26 Transplant outdoors: Mar 16 – Mar 23 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Dec 29 – Jan 12 Transplant outdoors: Mar 23 – Mar 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Dec 29 – Jan 12 Transplant outdoors: Mar 23 – Mar 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Dec 29 – Jan 12 Transplant outdoors: Feb 9 – Feb 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Dec 29 – Jan 12 Transplant outdoors: Feb 9 – Feb 23 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Feb 9 – Feb 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Jan 26 – Feb 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Jan 26 – Feb 9 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Feb 9 – Feb 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Feb 9 – Feb 23 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Feb 9 – Feb 23 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Mar 16 – Mar 23 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Mar 16 – Mar 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Mar 16 – Mar 23 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Mar 16 – Mar 23 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Jan 26 – Feb 9 Transplant outdoors: Mar 16 – Mar 23 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 23 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 18).
Useful for zone 8a gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Feb 18 | Mar 9 | Mar 31 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Dec 3 | Nov 18 | Nov 3 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after March 31, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before November 3. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around February 18.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Alamogordo
- 88310 zone 8a
- 88311 zone 8a
Nearby cities
- Chaparral zone 8b, last frost Feb 28
- Las Cruces zone 8b, last frost Mar 12
- Sunland Park zone 8b, last frost Mar 23
- Roswell zone 7b, last frost Apr 13
- Artesia zone 7b, last frost Apr 11
- Carlsbad zone 8a, last frost Mar 17
- Deming zone 8a, last frost Apr 7
- Los Lunas zone 7b, last frost Apr 23
Questions
What growing zone is Alamogordo, NM?
Alamogordo is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8a (average extreme winter low 10°F to 15°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Alamogordo?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Alamogordo is March 9. There is still a 10% chance of frost until March 31.
When can I plant tomatoes in Alamogordo?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Mar 16 – Mar 23. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Alamogordo, NM (USC00290199), 2.1 km (1.3 mi) from the city center, elevation 1335 m, based on 12 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.