Silver City, NM planting zone & frost dates
Silver City is in USDA hardiness zone 7b. The last spring frost usually comes around April 4 and the first fall frost around November 8, for a growing season of about 216 days.
Planting calendar for Silver City
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 4) 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: Feb 7 – Feb 21 Transplant outdoors: Apr 11 – Apr 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 24 – Feb 7 Transplant outdoors: Apr 18 – Apr 25 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 24 – Feb 7 Transplant outdoors: Apr 18 – Apr 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 24 – Feb 7 Transplant outdoors: Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 24 – Feb 7 Transplant outdoors: Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 21 – Mar 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 21 – Mar 7 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 11 – Apr 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 11 – Apr 18 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 11 – Apr 18 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 11 – Apr 18 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 21 – Mar 7 Transplant outdoors: Apr 11 – Apr 18 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 13 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 8).
Useful for zone 7b 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 | Mar 14 | Apr 4 | Apr 22 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 24 | Nov 8 | Oct 23 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 22, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 23. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 12.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Silver City
- 88061 zone 7b
- 88062 zone 7b
Nearby cities
- Deming zone 8a, last frost Apr 7
- Las Cruces zone 8b, last frost Mar 12
- Sunland Park zone 8b, last frost Mar 23
- Chaparral zone 8b, last frost Feb 28
- Alamogordo zone 8a, last frost Mar 9
- Los Lunas zone 7b, last frost Apr 23
- South Valley zone 7b, last frost Apr 18
- Gallup zone 6a, last frost May 11
Questions
What growing zone is Silver City, NM?
Silver City is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7b (average extreme winter low 5°F to 10°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Silver City?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Silver City is April 4. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 22.
When can I plant tomatoes in Silver City?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 11 – Apr 18. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Ft Bayard, NM (USC00293265), 12.3 km (7.6 mi) from the city center, elevation 1859 m, based on 15 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.