Frost dates for 87120 — Albuquerque, NM
Last spring frostApr 15median date
First fall frostOct 27median date
Growing season195 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Albuquerque compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Albuquerque falls between March 31 and April 30, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 16 and November 7.
- The median last frost is 18 days earlier than the New Mexico median of May 3.
- Its 195-day growing season is longer than 77% of the 349 New Mexico places with a regular frost season (state median 164 days).
- The last frost is 10 days later than the zone 7b median of Apr 5. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 112 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 31 |
| 50% (median) | April 15 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 30 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 16 |
| 50% (median) | October 27 |
| 90% (late) | November 7 |
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
Frost dates for 87120 — Albuquerque, NM — last frost Apr 15, first frost Oct 27, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 29
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 6
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 6Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Mar 25Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Mar 25Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6
Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 20
Plant for fall: Oct 13 to Nov 17
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 21 – Feb 4 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Mar 18 – Apr 22 | Sep 1 – Sep 29 |
| Kale | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Broccoli | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Cabbage | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Okra | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20 | May 6 – May 20 | — |
| Basil | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 4 – Mar 25 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 4 – Mar 25 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 22 | Sep 15 – Oct 6 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | Apr 29 – May 6 | Apr 22 – May 6 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | — | Apr 22 – May 6 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | — | Apr 22 – May 6 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 22 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 22 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 29 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 22 – May 13 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 22 – May 6 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 29 – May 20 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 13 – Nov 17 |
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 Petroglyph Natl Mon, NM weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 5,121 ft (1,561 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
- Rio Rancho Apr 8 · Nov 1
- Corrales Apr 8 · Nov 1
- Kirtland Afb Apr 6 · Nov 3
- Placitas Apr 16 · Oct 23
- Bernalillo Apr 16 · Oct 23
- Isleta Apr 18 · Oct 24
- Bosque Farms Apr 23 · Oct 21
- Cedar Crest 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 15. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 30, 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 October 27, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 16.
How long is the growing season in Albuquerque, NM?
About 195 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.