Frost dates for 87124 — Rio Rancho, NM
Last spring frostApr 8median date
First fall frostNov 1median date
Growing season207 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Rio Rancho compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Rio Rancho falls between March 24 and April 28, a 35-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 20 and November 12.
- The median last frost is 25 days earlier than the New Mexico median of May 3.
- Its 207-day growing season is longer than 81% 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 116 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Albuquerque, NM, 19 km away, the last frost here is 2 days later than there and the growing season is 4 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 24 |
| 50% (median) | April 8 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 28 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 20 |
| 50% (median) | November 1 |
| 90% (late) | November 12 |
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 Rio Rancho, NM
Frost dates for 87124 — Rio Rancho, NM — last frost Apr 8, first frost Nov 1, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 22 to Apr 29Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 18Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 18Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 13
Plant for fall: Oct 18 to Nov 22
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Rio Rancho, NM
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Mar 11 – Apr 15 | Sep 6 – Oct 4 |
| Kale | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Broccoli | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Cabbage | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Okra | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 13 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — |
| Basil | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 25 – Mar 18 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 25 – Mar 18 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 4 – Apr 15 | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 11 – Mar 18 | Apr 22 – Apr 29 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 11 – Mar 18 | — | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 11 – Mar 18 | — | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 11 – Mar 18 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 15 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 15 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 22 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 22 – May 13 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 18 – Nov 22 |
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 Rio Rancho #2, NM weather station, 4 km away (elevation 5,289 ft (1,612 m)).
ZIP codes in Rio Rancho: 87124 87144 87174
Frost dates near Rio Rancho
- Corrales Apr 8 · Nov 1
- Placitas Apr 16 · Oct 23
- Bernalillo Apr 16 · Oct 23
- Albuquerque Apr 6 · Nov 3
- Kirtland Afb Apr 6 · Nov 3
- Cedar Crest May 9 · Oct 9
- Algodones Apr 16 · Oct 23
- Sandia Park May 9 · Oct 9
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Rio Rancho, NM?
The median last spring frost in Rio Rancho, NM is April 8. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 28, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Rio Rancho, NM?
The median first fall frost is November 1, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 20.
How long is the growing season in Rio Rancho, NM?
About 207 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Rio Rancho, NM?
Rio Rancho, NM is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.