Albuquerque, NM frost dates
Last spring frostApr 6median date
First fall frostNov 3median date
Growing season211 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Albuquerque compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Albuquerque falls between March 17 and April 23, a 37-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 21 and November 16.
- The median last frost is 27 days earlier than the New Mexico median of May 3.
- Its 211-day growing season is longer than 82% of the 349 New Mexico places with a regular frost season (state median 164 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 7b, where the median is Apr 5.
- The weather station records an average of 93 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 17 |
| 50% (median) | April 6 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 23 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 21 |
| 50% (median) | November 3 |
| 90% (late) | November 16 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Albuquerque, NM
Albuquerque, NM frost dates — last frost Apr 6, first frost Nov 3, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Oct 6
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 11
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 13
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 20 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 16Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 16Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 11
Plant for fall: Oct 20 to Nov 24
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Albuquerque, NM
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Mar 9 – Apr 13 | Sep 8 – Oct 6 |
| Kale | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Broccoli | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Cabbage | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Okra | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 11 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — |
| Basil | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 23 – Mar 16 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 23 – Mar 16 | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 2 – Apr 13 | Sep 22 – Oct 13 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 9 – Mar 16 | Apr 20 – Apr 27 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 9 – Mar 16 | — | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 9 – Mar 16 | — | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 9 – Mar 16 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 13 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 13 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 20 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 20 – May 11 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 20 – Nov 24 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Albuquerque Intl Ap, NM weather station, 5 km away (elevation 5,312 ft (1,619 m)).
ZIP codes in Albuquerque: 87101 87102 87103 87104 87105 87106 87107 87108 87109 87110 87111 87112 87113 87114 87115 87116 87119 87120 87121 87122 87123 87125 87131 87151 87153 87154 87158 87176 87181 87184 87185 87187 87190 87191 87192 87193 87194 87195 87196 87197 87198 87199
Frost dates near Albuquerque
- Kirtland Afb Apr 6 · Nov 3
- Rio Rancho Apr 8 · Nov 1
- Corrales Apr 8 · Nov 1
- Isleta Apr 18 · Oct 24
- Bosque Farms Apr 23 · Oct 21
- Cedar Crest May 9 · Oct 9
- Peralta Apr 23 · Oct 21
- Placitas Apr 16 · Oct 23
- Bernalillo Apr 16 · Oct 23
- Sandia Park May 9 · Oct 9
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Albuquerque, NM?
The median last spring frost in Albuquerque, NM is April 6. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 23, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Albuquerque, NM?
The median first fall frost is November 3, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 21.
How long is the growing season in Albuquerque, NM?
About 211 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Albuquerque, NM?
Albuquerque, NM is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.