Sunland Park, NM planting zone & frost dates

Sunland Park is in USDA hardiness zone 8b. The last spring frost usually comes around March 23 and the first fall frost around November 11, for a growing season of about 231 days.

USDA hardiness zone8bavg. extreme winter low 15°F to 20°F
Average last spring frostMarch 2390% chance of no frost after April 9
Average first fall frostNovember 1110% chance of frost by October 29
Growing season231 daysfrost-free days in an average year

Planting calendar for Sunland Park

Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 23) 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.

CropWhen
TomatoesStart seeds indoors: Jan 26 – Feb 9
Transplant outdoors: Mar 30 – Apr 6
PeppersStart seeds indoors: Jan 12 – Jan 26
Transplant outdoors: Apr 6 – Apr 13
EggplantStart seeds indoors: Jan 12 – Jan 26
Transplant outdoors: Apr 6 – Apr 13
BroccoliStart seeds indoors: Jan 12 – Jan 26
Transplant outdoors: Feb 23 – Mar 9
CabbageStart seeds indoors: Jan 12 – Jan 26
Transplant outdoors: Feb 23 – Mar 9
Onions (sets)Plant outdoors: Feb 23 – Mar 9
PeasSow outdoors: Feb 9 – Feb 23
SpinachSow outdoors: Feb 9 – Feb 23
LettuceSow outdoors: Feb 23 – Mar 9
CarrotsSow outdoors: Feb 23 – Mar 9
PotatoesPlant outdoors: Feb 23 – Mar 9
BeansSow outdoors: Mar 30 – Apr 6
Sweet cornSow outdoors: Mar 30 – Apr 6
CucumbersSow outdoors: Mar 30 – Apr 6
Squash & zucchiniSow outdoors: Mar 30 – Apr 6
BasilStart seeds indoors: Feb 9 – Feb 23
Transplant outdoors: Mar 30 – Apr 6

Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 16 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 11).

Useful for zone 8b gardens

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Frost risk in detail

90% chance50% chance10% chance
Last 32°F frost in spring is afterMar 3Mar 23Apr 9
First 32°F frost in fall is beforeNov 23Nov 11Oct 29

How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 9, 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 5.

Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Sunland Park

Nearby cities

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

Questions

What growing zone is Sunland Park, NM?

Sunland Park is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8b (average extreme winter low 15°F to 20°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.

When is the last frost in Sunland Park?

The average last spring frost (32°F) in Sunland Park is March 23. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 9.

When can I plant tomatoes in Sunland Park?

Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Mar 30 – Apr 6. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.

Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Santa Teresa Ap, NM (USC00298127), 14.0 km (8.7 mi) from the city center, elevation 1252 m, based on 18 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.