Dulce, NM Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Dulce garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Jun 9
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Sep 22
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
105 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 6b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost May 25 Jun 9 Jun 27
First fall frost Oct 1 Sep 22 Sep 10
Hard freeze (28°F), median last May 23 · first Sep 30

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the DULCE station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Dulce

Computed from Dulce's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-6 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Apr 14 – Apr 28 Jun 16 – Jun 23
🫑 Peppers Mar 31 – Apr 14 Jun 23 – Jun 30
🥬 Lettuce Apr 28 – May 12 May 12 – May 26 May 12 – Jun 9
🫛 Peas Apr 28 – May 12
🥕 Carrots May 19 – Jun 9
🥦 Broccoli Apr 21 – May 5 May 19 – Jun 2
🥬 Kale Apr 28 – May 12 May 12 – May 26 May 12 – May 26
🥒 Cucumbers May 12 – May 19 Jun 16 – Jun 23 Jun 16 – Jun 23
🥒 Zucchini May 12 – May 19 Jun 16 – Jun 23 Jun 16 – Jun 23
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Jun 16 – Jun 23
🌽 Sweet Corn Jun 16 – Jun 23
🌿 Basil Apr 28 – May 12 Jun 16 – Jun 23 Jun 23 – Jun 30
🧄 Garlic Fall: Aug 11 – Sep 8

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Dulce's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Dulce

At about 105 frost-free days, Dulce rewards efficiency: start warm-season crops indoors, favor short-season varieties, and lean on cold-tolerant crops — peas, kale, roots — that shrug off the shoulder-season frosts on either end.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Dulce, NM?

The average last spring frost in Dulce is around Jun 9, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Dulce, NM?

The average first fall frost in Dulce arrives around Sep 22. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Dulce?

About 105 frost-free days on average, from Jun 9 to Sep 22. That favors short-season varieties and transplants for warm-season crops, with cool-season vegetables doing the heavy lifting in spring and fall.

What USDA zone is Dulce in?

USDA zone 6b on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.