Frost dates for 87174 — Rio Rancho, NM
Last spring frostApr 18median date
First fall frostOct 24median date
Growing season189 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Rio Rancho compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Rio Rancho falls between April 1 and May 3, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 13 and November 4.
- The median last frost is 15 days earlier than the New Mexico median of May 3.
- Its 189-day growing season is longer than 70% of the 349 New Mexico places with a regular frost season (state median 164 days).
- The last frost is 13 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 126 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Albuquerque, NM, 4 km away, the last frost here is 12 days later than there and the growing season is 22 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 1 |
| 50% (median) | April 18 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 3 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 13 |
| 50% (median) | October 24 |
| 90% (late) | November 4 |
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 87174 — Rio Rancho, NM — last frost Apr 18, first frost Oct 24, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 3
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 2 to May 9Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Mar 28Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Mar 28Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9
Transplant outside: May 2 to May 23
Plant for fall: Oct 10 to Nov 14
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 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Mar 21 – Apr 25 | Aug 29 – Sep 26 |
| Kale | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Broccoli | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Okra | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 9 – May 23 | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Basil | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 7 – Mar 28 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 7 – Mar 28 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 25 | Sep 12 – Oct 3 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | May 2 – May 9 | Apr 25 – May 9 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | — | Apr 25 – May 9 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | — | Apr 25 – May 9 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 4 – May 2 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 25 – May 16 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 25 – May 9 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 2 – May 23 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 10 – Nov 14 |
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 Valley, NM weather station, 3 km away (elevation 4,954 ft (1,510 m)).
ZIP codes in Rio Rancho: 87124 87144 87174
Frost dates near Rio Rancho
- Albuquerque Apr 6 · Nov 3
- Kirtland Afb Apr 6 · Nov 3
- Isleta Apr 18 · Oct 24
- Bosque Farms Apr 23 · Oct 21
- Corrales Apr 8 · Nov 1
- Peralta Apr 23 · Oct 21
- Los Lunas Apr 23 · Oct 21
- Cedar Crest 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 18. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 3, 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 October 24, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 13.
How long is the growing season in Rio Rancho, NM?
About 189 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.