Roswell, NM planting zone & frost dates

Roswell is in USDA hardiness zone 7b. The last spring frost usually comes around April 13 and the first fall frost around October 30, for a growing season of about 197 days.

USDA hardiness zone7bavg. extreme winter low 5°F to 10°F

Average last spring frostApril 1390% chance of no frost after April 28

Average first fall frostOctober 3010% chance of frost by October 16

Growing season197 daysfrost-free days in an average year

Planting calendar for Roswell

Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 13) 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 16 – Mar 2 Transplant outdoors: Apr 20 – Apr 27
Peppers	Start seeds indoors: Feb 2 – Feb 16 Transplant outdoors: Apr 27 – May 4
Eggplant	Start seeds indoors: Feb 2 – Feb 16 Transplant outdoors: Apr 27 – May 4
Broccoli	Start seeds indoors: Feb 2 – Feb 16 Transplant outdoors: Mar 16 – Mar 30
Cabbage	Start seeds indoors: Feb 2 – Feb 16 Transplant outdoors: Mar 16 – Mar 30
Onions (sets)	Plant outdoors: Mar 16 – Mar 30
Peas	Sow outdoors: Mar 2 – Mar 16
Spinach	Sow outdoors: Mar 2 – Mar 16
Lettuce	Sow outdoors: Mar 16 – Mar 30
Carrots	Sow outdoors: Mar 16 – Mar 30
Potatoes	Plant outdoors: Mar 16 – Mar 30
Beans	Sow outdoors: Apr 20 – Apr 27
Sweet corn	Sow outdoors: Apr 20 – Apr 27
Cucumbers	Sow outdoors: Apr 20 – Apr 27
Squash & zucchini	Sow outdoors: Apr 20 – Apr 27
Basil	Start seeds indoors: Mar 2 – Mar 16 Transplant outdoors: Apr 20 – Apr 27

Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 4 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 30).

Frost risk in detail

	90% chance	50% chance	10% chance
Last 32°F frost in spring is after	Mar 31	Apr 13	Apr 28
First 32°F frost in fall is before	Nov 11	Oct 30	Oct 16

How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 28, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 16. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 31.

Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Roswell

88201 zone 7b
88202 zone 7b
88203 zone 7b

Nearby cities

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

All cities in New Mexico → · Other zone 7b cities →

Questions

What growing zone is Roswell, NM?

Roswell 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 Roswell?

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

When can I plant tomatoes in Roswell?

Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 20 – Apr 27. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.

Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Roswell Climat, NM (USC00297605), 2.2 km (1.4 mi) from the city center, elevation 1099 m, based on 14 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.