Albuquerque, NM planting zone & frost dates
Albuquerque is in USDA hardiness zone 7b. The last spring frost usually comes around April 6 and the first fall frost around November 3, for a growing season of about 208 days.
Planting calendar for Albuquerque
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 6) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Feb 9 – Feb 23 Transplant outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 26 – Feb 9 Transplant outdoors: Apr 20 – Apr 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 26 – Feb 9 Transplant outdoors: Apr 20 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 26 – Feb 9 Transplant outdoors: Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 26 – Feb 9 Transplant outdoors: Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 23 – Mar 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 23 – Mar 9 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 20 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 20 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 20 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 23 – Mar 9 Transplant outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 20 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 8 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 3).
Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Mar 17 | Apr 6 | Apr 23 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 16 | Nov 3 | Oct 21 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 23, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 21. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 17.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Albuquerque
- 87101 zone 7b
- 87102 zone 7b
- 87103 zone 7b
- 87104 zone 7b
- 87105 zone 7b
- 87106 zone 8a
- 87107 zone 7b
- 87108 zone 8a
- 87109 zone 7b
- 87110 zone 7b
- 87111 zone 7b
- 87112 zone 7b
- 87113 zone 7b
- 87114 zone 7b
- 87116 zone 7b
- 87119 zone 8a
- 87120 zone 7b
- 87121 zone 7b
- 87122 zone 7b
- 87123 zone 7b
- 87125 zone 7b
- 87151 zone 7b
- 87153 zone 7b
- 87154 zone 7b
- 87158 zone 7b
- 87176 zone 7b
- 87181 zone 7b
- 87184 zone 7b
- 87185 zone 8a
- 87187 zone 7b
- 87190 zone 7b
- 87191 zone 7b
- 87192 zone 7b
- 87193 zone 7b
- 87194 zone 7b
- 87195 zone 7b
- 87196 zone 7b
- 87197 zone 7b
- 87198 zone 8a
- 87199 zone 7b
Nearby cities
- South Valley zone 7b, last frost Apr 18
- North Valley zone 7b, last frost Apr 23
- Rio Rancho zone 7b, last frost Apr 8
- Enchanted Hills zone 7b, last frost Apr 16
- Los Lunas zone 7b, last frost Apr 23
- Los Alamos zone 7a, last frost May 2
- Santa Fe zone 6b, last frost May 14
- Española zone 7a, last frost May 11
Questions
What growing zone is Albuquerque, NM?
Albuquerque is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7b (average extreme winter low 5°F to 10°F), according to the USDA 2023 map. Some ZIP codes of the city fall in zone 8a.
When is the last frost in Albuquerque?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Albuquerque is April 6. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 23.
When can I plant tomatoes in Albuquerque?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 13 – Apr 20. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Albuquerque Intl Ap, NM (USW00023050), 5.7 km (3.5 mi) from the city center, elevation 1618 m, based on 26 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.