Enchanted Hills, NM planting zone & frost dates
Enchanted Hills is in USDA hardiness zone 7b. The last spring frost usually comes around April 16 and the first fall frost around October 23, for a growing season of about 191 days.
Planting calendar for Enchanted Hills
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 16) 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 19 – Mar 5 Transplant outdoors: Apr 23 – Apr 30 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Feb 5 – Feb 19 Transplant outdoors: Apr 30 – May 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Feb 5 – Feb 19 Transplant outdoors: Apr 30 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Feb 5 – Feb 19 Transplant outdoors: Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Feb 5 – Feb 19 Transplant outdoors: Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Mar 5 – Mar 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Mar 5 – Mar 19 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 23 – Apr 30 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 23 – Apr 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 23 – Apr 30 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 23 – Apr 30 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Mar 5 – Mar 19 Transplant outdoors: Apr 23 – Apr 30 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 28 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 23).
Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Apr 2 | Apr 16 | May 2 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 5 | Oct 23 | Oct 12 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 2, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 12. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 30.
Nearby cities
- Rio Rancho zone 7b, last frost Apr 8
- North Valley zone 7b, last frost Apr 23
- Albuquerque zone 7b, last frost Apr 6
- South Valley zone 7b, last frost Apr 18
- 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 Enchanted Hills, NM?
Enchanted Hills is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7b (average extreme winter low 5°F to 10°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Enchanted Hills?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Enchanted Hills is April 16. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 2.
When can I plant tomatoes in Enchanted Hills?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 23 – Apr 30. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Rio Rancho #1, NM (USC00297477), 6.4 km (4.0 mi) from the city center, elevation 1594 m, based on 12 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.