Hobbs, NM planting zone & frost dates

Hobbs is in USDA hardiness zone 8a. The last spring frost usually comes around March 28 and the first fall frost around November 10, for a growing season of about 225 days.

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

Average last spring frostMarch 2890% chance of no frost after April 13

Average first fall frostNovember 1010% chance of frost by October 27

Growing season225 daysfrost-free days in an average year

Planting calendar for Hobbs

Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 28) 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 31 – Feb 14 Transplant outdoors: Apr 4 – Apr 11
Peppers	Start seeds indoors: Jan 17 – Jan 31 Transplant outdoors: Apr 11 – Apr 18
Eggplant	Start seeds indoors: Jan 17 – Jan 31 Transplant outdoors: Apr 11 – Apr 18
Broccoli	Start seeds indoors: Jan 17 – Jan 31 Transplant outdoors: Feb 28 – Mar 14
Cabbage	Start seeds indoors: Jan 17 – Jan 31 Transplant outdoors: Feb 28 – Mar 14
Onions (sets)	Plant outdoors: Feb 28 – Mar 14
Peas	Sow outdoors: Feb 14 – Feb 28
Spinach	Sow outdoors: Feb 14 – Feb 28
Lettuce	Sow outdoors: Feb 28 – Mar 14
Carrots	Sow outdoors: Feb 28 – Mar 14
Potatoes	Plant outdoors: Feb 28 – Mar 14
Beans	Sow outdoors: Apr 4 – Apr 11
Sweet corn	Sow outdoors: Apr 4 – Apr 11
Cucumbers	Sow outdoors: Apr 4 – Apr 11
Squash & zucchini	Sow outdoors: Apr 4 – Apr 11
Basil	Start seeds indoors: Feb 14 – Feb 28 Transplant outdoors: Apr 4 – Apr 11

Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 15 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 10).

Frost risk in detail

	90% chance	50% chance	10% chance
Last 32°F frost in spring is after	Mar 9	Mar 28	Apr 13
First 32°F frost in fall is before	Nov 22	Nov 10	Oct 27

How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 13, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 27. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 13.

Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Hobbs

88240 zone 8a
88241 zone 8a
88242 zone 8a
88244 zone 8a

Nearby cities

Lovington zone 7b, last frost Mar 28
Carlsbad zone 8a, last frost Mar 17
Artesia zone 7b, last frost Apr 11
Portales zone 7a, last frost Apr 15
Roswell zone 7b, last frost Apr 13
Clovis zone 7a, last frost Apr 14
Alamogordo zone 8a, last frost Mar 9
Chaparral zone 8b, last frost Feb 28

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

Questions

What growing zone is Hobbs, NM?

Hobbs 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 Hobbs?

The average last spring frost (32°F) in Hobbs is March 28. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 13.

When can I plant tomatoes in Hobbs?

Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 4 – Apr 11. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.

Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Hobbs, NM (USC00294026), 2.7 km (1.7 mi) from the city center, elevation 1116 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.