Carlsbad, NM planting zone & frost dates

Carlsbad is in USDA hardiness zone 8a. The last spring frost usually comes around March 17 and the first fall frost around November 12, for a growing season of about 238 days.

USDA hardiness zone8aavg. extreme winter low 10°F to 15°F

Average last spring frostMarch 1790% chance of no frost after April 5

Average first fall frostNovember 1210% chance of frost by October 29

Growing season238 daysfrost-free days in an average year

Planting calendar for Carlsbad

Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 17) 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 20 – Feb 3 Transplant outdoors: Mar 24 – Mar 31
Peppers	Start seeds indoors: Jan 6 – Jan 20 Transplant outdoors: Mar 31 – Apr 7
Eggplant	Start seeds indoors: Jan 6 – Jan 20 Transplant outdoors: Mar 31 – Apr 7
Broccoli	Start seeds indoors: Jan 6 – Jan 20 Transplant outdoors: Feb 17 – Mar 3
Cabbage	Start seeds indoors: Jan 6 – Jan 20 Transplant outdoors: Feb 17 – Mar 3
Onions (sets)	Plant outdoors: Feb 17 – Mar 3
Peas	Sow outdoors: Feb 3 – Feb 17
Spinach	Sow outdoors: Feb 3 – Feb 17
Lettuce	Sow outdoors: Feb 17 – Mar 3
Carrots	Sow outdoors: Feb 17 – Mar 3
Potatoes	Plant outdoors: Feb 17 – Mar 3
Beans	Sow outdoors: Mar 24 – Mar 31
Sweet corn	Sow outdoors: Mar 24 – Mar 31
Cucumbers	Sow outdoors: Mar 24 – Mar 31
Squash & zucchini	Sow outdoors: Mar 24 – Mar 31
Basil	Start seeds indoors: Feb 3 – Feb 17 Transplant outdoors: Mar 24 – Mar 31

Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 17 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 12).

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 28	Mar 17	Apr 5
First 32°F frost in fall is before	Nov 26	Nov 12	Oct 29

How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 5, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 29. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 2.

Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Carlsbad

88220 zone 8a
88221 zone 8a

Nearby cities

Artesia zone 7b, last frost Apr 11
Roswell zone 7b, last frost Apr 13
Lovington zone 7b, last frost Mar 28
Hobbs zone 8a, last frost Mar 28
Alamogordo zone 8a, last frost Mar 9
Portales zone 7a, last frost Apr 15
Chaparral zone 8b, last frost Feb 28
Clovis zone 7a, last frost Apr 14

All cities in New Mexico → · Other zone 8a cities →

Questions

What growing zone is Carlsbad, NM?

Carlsbad 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 Carlsbad?

The average last spring frost (32°F) in Carlsbad is March 17. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 5.

When can I plant tomatoes in Carlsbad?

Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Mar 24 – Mar 31. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.

Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Carlsbad, NM (USC00291469), 8.1 km (5.0 mi) from the city center, elevation 951 m, based on 26 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.