Frost dates for 87508 — Santa Fe, NM
Last spring frostMay 2median date
First fall frostOct 17median date
Growing season168 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 19 and May 14, a 25-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 4 and October 28.
- The median last frost is 1 day earlier than the New Mexico median of May 3.
- Its 168-day growing season is longer than 52% of the 349 New Mexico places with a regular frost season (state median 164 days).
- The last frost is 16 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 144 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Rio Rancho, NM, 78 km away, the last frost here is 24 days later than there and the growing season is 39 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 19 |
| 50% (median) | May 2 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 14 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 4 |
| 50% (median) | October 17 |
| 90% (late) | October 28 |
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 87508 — Santa Fe, NM — last frost May 2, first frost Oct 17, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to May 9Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 23Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 30Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Transplant outside: May 16 to Jun 6
Plant for fall: Oct 3 to Nov 7
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 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Apr 4 – May 9 | Aug 22 – Sep 19 |
| Kale | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Broccoli | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Okra | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 23 – Jun 6 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — |
| Basil | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 28 – May 9 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 23 | May 9 – May 23 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | May 9 – May 23 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 18 – May 16 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 9 – May 30 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 16 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 3 – Nov 7 |
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 Seton, NM weather station, 8 km away (elevation 7,001 ft (2,134 m)).
ZIP codes in Santa Fe: 87501 87502 87503 87504 87505 87506 87507 87508 87509 87592 87594
Frost dates near Santa Fe
- Lamy May 2 · Oct 17
- Glorieta May 15 · Oct 3
- Cerrillos May 4 · Oct 15
- Rowe May 15 · Oct 3
- Pecos May 15 · Oct 3
- Tesuque May 14 · Oct 6
- Tererro May 28 · Sep 26
- Ilfeld May 15 · Oct 3
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Santa Fe, NM?
The median last spring frost in Santa Fe, NM is May 2. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 14, 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 17, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 4.
How long is the growing season in Santa Fe, NM?
About 168 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.