Portales, NM planting zone & frost dates
Portales is in USDA hardiness zone 7a. The last spring frost usually comes around April 15 and the first fall frost around October 26, for a growing season of about 193 days.
Planting calendar for Portales
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 15) 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 18 – Mar 4 Transplant outdoors: Apr 22 – Apr 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Feb 4 – Feb 18 Transplant outdoors: Apr 29 – May 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Feb 4 – Feb 18 Transplant outdoors: Apr 29 – May 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Feb 4 – Feb 18 Transplant outdoors: Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Feb 4 – Feb 18 Transplant outdoors: Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Mar 4 – Mar 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Mar 4 – Mar 18 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 22 – Apr 29 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 22 – Apr 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 22 – Apr 29 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 22 – Apr 29 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Mar 4 – Mar 18 Transplant outdoors: Apr 22 – Apr 29 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 31 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 26).
Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Mar 30 | Apr 15 | Apr 30 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 7 | Oct 26 | Oct 12 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 30, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 12. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 2.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Portales
- 88130 zone 7a
Nearby cities
Questions
What growing zone is Portales, NM?
Portales is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7a (average extreme winter low 0°F to 5°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Portales?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Portales is April 15. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 30.
When can I plant tomatoes in Portales?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 22 – Apr 29. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Portales, NM (USC00297008), 2.1 km (1.3 mi) from the city center, elevation 1222 m, based on 28 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.