Frost dates for 87506 — Santa Fe, NM
Last spring frostMay 11median date
First fall frostOct 6median date
Growing season148 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Santa Fe compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Santa Fe falls between April 28 and May 26, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 25 and October 19.
- The median last frost is 8 days later than the New Mexico median of May 3.
- Its 148-day growing season is longer than 37% of the 349 New Mexico places with a regular frost season (state median 164 days).
- The last frost is 25 days later than the zone 7a median of Apr 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 174 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Rio Rancho, NM, 93 km away, the last frost here is 33 days later than there and the growing season is 59 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 28 |
| 50% (median) | May 11 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 26 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 25 |
| 50% (median) | October 6 |
| 90% (late) | October 19 |
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 87506 — Santa Fe, NM — last frost May 11, first frost Oct 6, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 8
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 8
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11Plant for fall: Jun 30 to Jul 21
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Jun 30 to Jul 21
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11Plant for fall: Jun 30 to Jul 21
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Transplant outside: Jun 1 to Jun 15Sow outdoors: Jun 1 to Jun 15
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Apr 13 to Apr 20Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 1Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Apr 13 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Apr 13 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Apr 13 to Apr 20Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 18Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Jul 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 18Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 25Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 8Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 1
Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 15
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 16 – Mar 2 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 25 – Jun 8 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 25 – Jun 8 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Apr 20 – May 4 | Apr 13 – May 18 | Aug 11 – Sep 8 |
| Kale | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Broccoli | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | Jun 30 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | Jun 30 – Jul 21 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | Jun 30 – Jul 21 |
| Okra | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | — |
| Basil | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 20 | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 20 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 6 – May 18 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 13 – Apr 20 | May 25 – Jun 1 | May 18 – Jun 1 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 13 – Apr 20 | — | May 18 – Jun 1 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 13 – Apr 20 | — | May 18 – Jun 1 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 13 – Apr 20 | May 25 – Jun 8 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 20 – May 18 | Jul 14 – Jul 28 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 20 – May 18 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 20 – May 11 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 27 – May 25 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 27 – May 18 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 18 – Jun 8 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 18 – Jun 1 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 25 – Jun 15 | — | — |
| 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 Espanola, NM weather station, 21 km away (elevation 5,620 ft (1,713 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
- Santa Cruz May 11 · Oct 6
- White Rock May 2 · Oct 12
- Espanola May 11 · Oct 6
- Chimayo May 11 · Oct 6
- Cordova May 11 · Oct 6
- Ohkay Owingeh May 10 · Oct 4
- Los Alamos May 2 · Oct 12
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Santa Fe, NM?
The median last spring frost in Santa Fe, NM is May 11. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 26, 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 148 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 7a.