Frost dates for 87502 — Santa Fe, NM
Last spring frostMay 14median date
First fall frostOct 6median date
Growing season145 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Santa Fe compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Santa Fe falls between April 30 and May 28, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 25 and October 18.
- The median last frost is 11 days later than the New Mexico median of May 3.
- Its 145-day growing season is longer than 29% of the 349 New Mexico places with a regular frost season (state median 164 days).
- The last frost is 22 days later than the zone 6b median of Apr 22. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 168 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Rio Rancho, NM, 86 km away, the last frost here is 36 days later than there and the growing season is 62 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 30 |
| 50% (median) | May 14 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 28 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 25 |
| 50% (median) | October 6 |
| 90% (late) | October 18 |
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 Santa Fe, NM
Frost dates for 87502 — Santa Fe, NM — last frost May 14, first frost Oct 6, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: May 28 to Jun 11
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: May 28 to Jun 11
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 4
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 21Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Jun 30 to Jul 21
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7Plant for fall: Jun 30 to Jul 21
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Jun 30 to Jul 21
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16Transplant outside: Jun 4 to Jun 18Sow outdoors: Jun 4 to Jun 18
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 21Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Apr 16 to Apr 23Transplant outside: May 28 to Jun 4Sow outdoors: May 21 to Jun 4Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Apr 16 to Apr 23Sow outdoors: May 21 to Jun 4Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Apr 16 to Apr 23Sow outdoors: May 21 to Jun 4
Start indoors: Apr 16 to Apr 23Transplant outside: May 28 to Jun 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 21Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Jul 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 21Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 28Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 21Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: May 21 to Jun 11Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: May 21 to Jun 4
Transplant outside: May 28 to Jun 18
Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 27
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Santa Fe, NM
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 28 – Jun 11 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 28 – Jun 11 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | May 21 – Jun 4 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Apr 23 – May 7 | Apr 16 – May 21 | Aug 11 – Sep 8 |
| Kale | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Broccoli | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | Jun 30 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | Jun 30 – Jul 21 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | Jun 30 – Jul 21 |
| Okra | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Jun 4 – Jun 18 | Jun 4 – Jun 18 | — |
| Basil | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | May 21 – Jun 4 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 23 | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 23 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 9 – May 21 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 16 – Apr 23 | May 28 – Jun 4 | May 21 – Jun 4 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 16 – Apr 23 | — | May 21 – Jun 4 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 16 – Apr 23 | — | May 21 – Jun 4 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 16 – Apr 23 | May 28 – Jun 11 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 23 – May 21 | Jul 14 – Jul 28 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 23 – May 21 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 23 – May 14 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 30 – May 28 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 30 – May 21 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 21 – Jun 11 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 21 – Jun 4 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 28 – Jun 18 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 22 – Oct 27 |
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 Santa Fe, NM weather station, 8 km away (elevation 6,755 ft (2,059 m)).
ZIP codes in Santa Fe: 87501 87502 87503 87504 87505 87506 87507 87508 87509 87592 87594
Frost dates near Santa Fe
- Tesuque May 14 · Oct 6
- Glorieta May 15 · Oct 3
- Tererro May 28 · Sep 26
- Pecos May 15 · Oct 3
- Lamy May 2 · Oct 17
- White Rock May 2 · Oct 12
- Rowe May 15 · Oct 3
- Cerrillos May 4 · Oct 15
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Santa Fe, NM?
The median last spring frost in Santa Fe, NM is May 14. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 28, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Santa Fe, NM?
The median first fall frost is October 6, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 25.
How long is the growing season in Santa Fe, NM?
About 145 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Santa Fe, NM?
Santa Fe, NM is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.