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Frost dates and planting calendar for Albuquerque, New Mexico

Updated October 30, 2026. Based on USDA, NOAA and Colorado State University Extension data. Published by Humblebee.

USDA hardiness zone
7b[1]
Median last spring frost
Apr 6[2]
Median first fall frost
Nov 3[3]
Growing season, median
208 days[4]

Albuquerque, New Mexico sits in USDA hardiness zone 7b at the city center[1]. In half of years the last spring frost comes after April 6, the median date in NOAA records[2].

Frost dates

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast spring frost: 9 in 10 years after Mar 17, half of years Apr 6, 1 in 10 years after Apr 23Last frostmedian Apr 6First fall frost: 9 in 10 years before Nov 16, half of years Nov 3, 1 in 10 years before Oct 21First frostmedian Nov 3Frost riskHardyHardy vegetables: plant Mar 9 to Mar 23Mar 9 to Mar 23Semi-hardySemi-hardy vegetables: plant Mar 23 to Apr 6Mar 23 to Apr 6TenderTender vegetables: plant around Apr 6around Apr 6Very tenderVery tender vegetables: plant from Apr 20from Apr 20
Shaded: the span between the dates frost passes in 9 of 10 years and 1 of 10 years[2][3]. Green: planting windows from the CSU rules applied to the median last frost (GardenFacts calculation)[7]. Exact dates are in the tables below.

These frost dates come from NOAA climate normals for the Albuquerque International Airport weather station[5]. In 9 of 10 years the last spring frost comes after March 17, and in 1 of 10 years it comes after April 23[2]. In the fall, the first frost comes before October 21 in 1 of 10 years and before November 3 in half of years[3]. These are chances drawn from NOAA records for 1991 to 2020, not a forecast, so any year can be earlier or later[2]. Tender and very tender vegetables do not tolerate frost, so keep the fall odds in mind for late crops[6].

Frost Likely (9 in 10 years) Even odds (5 in 10) Unlikely (1 in 10)
Last spring frost (32°F)[2] after March 17 after April 6 after April 23
First fall frost (32°F)[3] before October 21 before November 3 before November 16
  • Hard freeze (28°F): median last spring date March 17, median first fall date November 15[8].
  • Frost-free growing season: at least 187 days in 9 of 10 years, 208 days in half of years and 230 days in 1 of 10 years[4].
  • The low reached 32°F or colder in 100% of years and 28°F or colder in 100% of years[9].
  • Weather station: Albuquerque International Airport (USW00023050), 4.7 miles from the city center, 5,310 feet, 26 years of 1991 to 2020 records[5].

When to plant vegetables

Colorado State University Extension sorts vegetables into groups by how much cold they can take, and its guide was written for Colorado[7]. GardenFacts uses the median last frost of April 6 as the average last frost for these dates[7]. Hardy crops such as peas, lettuce and spinach can go in as early as March 9 to March 23[7]. Semi-hardy crops such as beets, carrots and potatoes can go in as early as March 23, up to April 6[10]. Tender crops like snap beans and sweet corn go in from seed around April 6[11]. Very tender crops like tomatoes and peppers typically wait 2 or more weeks after the median, with April 20 as the earliest start[12].

  • Hardy (broccoli, cabbage, kohlrabi, lettuce, onions, peas, radishes, spinach, turnips): as early as 2 to 4 weeks before the median last frost (April 6) is March 9 to March 23[7]
  • Semi-hardy (beets, carrots, cauliflower, parsnips, potatoes, Swiss chard): as early as 2 weeks before the median last frost (April 6) is March 23, up to the median date itself[10]
  • Tender (snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash): from seed around the median last frost date, April 6[11]
  • Very tender (cantaloupe, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, winter squash, watermelon): the earliest start, two weeks after the median last frost (April 6), is April 20[12]
Vegetable (CSU group) Plant from First harvest around
Broccoli (hardy)[13] Mar 9 May 13 (from transplants)
Cabbage (hardy)[13] Mar 9 Jun 2 (from transplants)
Kohlrabi (hardy)[13] Mar 9 Apr 28
Lettuce (hardy)[13] Mar 9 May 8
Onions (hardy)[13] Mar 9 Jun 27
Peas (hardy)[13] Mar 9 May 13
Radishes (hardy)[13] Mar 9 Apr 8
Spinach (hardy)[13] Mar 9 Apr 18
Turnips (hardy)[13] Mar 9 Apr 28
Beets (semi-hardy)[13] Mar 23 May 22
Carrots (semi-hardy)[13] Mar 23 Jun 1
Cauliflower (semi-hardy)[13] Mar 23 not listed
Parsnips (semi-hardy)[13] Mar 23 Jun 1
Potatoes (semi-hardy)[13] Mar 23 Jul 26
Swiss chard (semi-hardy)[13] Mar 23 May 22
Snap beans (tender)[13] Apr 6 Jun 5
Sweet corn (tender)[13] Apr 6 Jun 5
Cucumbers (tender)[13] Apr 6 May 31
Summer squash (tender)[13] Apr 6 May 26
Cantaloupe (very tender)[13] Apr 20 Jul 14
Eggplant (very tender)[13] Apr 20 Jun 19 (from transplants)
Peppers (very tender)[13] Apr 20 Jun 29 (from transplants)
Tomatoes (very tender)[13] Apr 20 Jun 24 (from transplants)
Winter squash (very tender)[13] Apr 20 Jul 29
Watermelon (very tender)[13] Apr 20 Jul 14
Spacing, depth and soil temperature (CSU Extension)
Vegetable Min. soil temp Depth Spacing Days to harvest
Broccoli[14] 40°F 1/2 in 18 in 65
Cabbage[14] 40°F 1/2 in 18 in 85
Kohlrabi[14] 40°F 1/2 in 7-9 in 50
Lettuce[14] 35°F 1/4 in 7-9 in 60
Onions[14] 35°F 1/4 in (seed), 1-2 in (sets) 4-6 in 110
Peas[14] 40°F 1 in 4-6 in 65
Radishes[14] 40°F 1/2 in 2-3 in 30
Spinach[14] 40°F 1/2 in 4-6 in 40
Turnips[14] 40°F 1/2 in 4-6 in 50
Beets[14] 40°F 3/4-1 in 4-6 in 60
Carrots[14] 40°F 1/4 in 2-3 in 70
Cauliflower[14] 40°F 1/2 in 18 in –
Parsnips[14] 35°F 1/2 in 5-6 in 70
Potatoes[14] 45°F – – 125
Swiss chard[14] 40°F 1 in 7-9 in 60
Snap beans[14] 55°F 1-1 1/2 in 6 in 60
Sweet corn[14] 50°F 1-1 1/2 in 12 x 30 in or 9 x 36 in 60-90
Cucumbers[14] 60°F 1 in 6 in trellised, 24-36 in untrellised 55
Summer squash[14] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 50
Cantaloupe[14] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 85
Eggplant[14] 60°F 1/4 in 18-24 in 60
Peppers[14] 60°F 1/4 in 15-18 in 70
Tomatoes[14] 50°F 1/4 in 24 in trellised 65
Winter squash[14] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 100
Watermelon[14] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 85

Hardiness zone

Zone 7b means the coldest winter night averaged 5°F to 10°F over 1991 to 2020[1]. The zone is about winter cold, not summer heat or frost dates[15]. USDA describes the map as a guide to which perennial plants are most likely to thrive[15]. By land area, 80% of Albuquerque lies in ZIP code areas rated zone 7b and 20% in areas rated zone 8a[16].

Zone 7b: average annual extreme minimum temperature 5°F to 10°F (1991 to 2020)[1]. Modeled value at the city center: 6.7°F[1].

Share of the city's land area by ZIP code zone: zone 7b 80%, zone 8a 20%[16].

All towns in zone 7b and what zone 7b means

Zone by ZIP code
ZIP code Zone Coldest night range
87120[16] 7b 5 to 10°F
87106[16] 8a 10 to 15°F
87111[16] 7b 5 to 10°F
87114[16] 7b 5 to 10°F
87121[16] 7b 5 to 10°F
87123[16] 7b 5 to 10°F
87109[16] 7b 5 to 10°F
87110[16] 7b 5 to 10°F
87107[16] 7b 5 to 10°F
87112[16] 7b 5 to 10°F
87102[16] 7b 5 to 10°F
87113[16] 7b 5 to 10°F
87108[16] 8a 10 to 15°F
87105[16] 7b 5 to 10°F
87104[16] 7b 5 to 10°F
87122[16] 7b 5 to 10°F
87116[16] 7b 5 to 10°F
87101[16] 7b 5 to 10°F
87124[16] 7b 5 to 10°F
87048[16] 7b 5 to 10°F

Questions people ask

What growing zone is Albuquerque?
The 2023 USDA map puts the center of Albuquerque in zone 7b[1]. Some ZIP code areas covering 20% of the city's land area are rated zone 8a[16].
When is the last frost in Albuquerque?
The median last spring frost at the Albuquerque airport station is April 6[2]. In 1 of 10 years the last frost comes after April 23[2].
When to plant tomatoes in Albuquerque?
CSU Extension says tomatoes typically go in 2 or more weeks after the average last frost[12]. GardenFacts calculates April 20 as the earliest start for Albuquerque, two weeks after the median last frost of April 6[12].
When is the first frost in Albuquerque?
The median first fall frost is November 3[3]. In 1 of 10 years it comes before October 21[3].
How long is the growing season in Albuquerque?
In half of years the growing season lasts at least 208 days[4]. In 9 of 10 years it lasts at least 187 days[4].

Facts and sources

  1. The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map puts the center of Albuquerque, New Mexico in zone 7b. Zone 7b means an average annual extreme minimum temperature of 5°F to 10°F over 1991 to 2020. The map's modeled value at the city center is 6.7°F. USDA zone map 2023 (PRISM, OSU)
  2. Last spring frost (32°F) at this station: in 9 of 10 years the last frost comes after March 17, in half of years after April 6, and in 1 of 10 years after April 23 (NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals). The median last frost date is April 6. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  3. First fall frost (32°F) at this station: in 1 of 10 years the first frost comes before October 21, in half of years before November 3, and in 9 of 10 years before November 16 (NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals). The median first frost date is November 3. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  4. Growing season (days between the last spring and first fall 32°F frost) at this station: at least 187 days in 9 of 10 years, at least 208 days in half of years, and at least 230 days in 1 of 10 years. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  5. Frost dates on this page come from NOAA climate normals for the Albuquerque International Airport weather station (USW00023050), 4.7 miles from the center of Albuquerque at 5,310 feet, using 26 years of records from 1991 to 2020. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  6. Tender and very tender vegetables do not tolerate frost (CSU Extension). In Albuquerque the median first fall frost is November 3. CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  7. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups broccoli, cabbage, kohlrabi, lettuce, onions, peas, radishes, spinach, turnips as hardy vegetables, with this rule: as early as 2-4 weeks before the average last... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  8. Hard freeze (28°F) at this station: the median last spring date is March 17 and the median first fall date is November 15. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  9. At this station the low reached 32°F or colder in 100% of years from 1991 to 2020, and 28°F or colder in 100% of years. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  10. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups beets, carrots, cauliflower, parsnips, potatoes, Swiss chard as semi-hardy vegetables, with this rule: as early as 0-2 weeks before the average last spring frost.... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  11. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash as tender vegetables, with this rule: from seed around the average last spring frost; cucumber and summer squash... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  12. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups cantaloupe, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, winter squash, watermelon as very tender vegetables, with this rule: typically 2 or more weeks after the average last... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  13. GardenFacts calculation: earliest planting date plus CSU days to harvest (table on this page), from the station's median last frost. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  14. CSU Extension vegetable table: soil temperature, depth, spacing, days to harvest (table on this page). CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  15. USDA hardiness zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature (the coldest night of each winter, averaged over 1991 to 2020 for the 2023 map), not on summer heat or frost dates. Each zone spans 10°F and each half zone (a or b)... USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
  16. Albuquerque, New Mexico overlaps 20 ZIP code areas. By land area, 80% lies in ZIP code areas rated zone 7b, 20% lies in ZIP code areas rated zone 8a. USDA zone map 2023 (PRISM, OSU)

Frost dates are probabilities from 1991 to 2020 weather records at one NOAA station, not a forecast. Any year can be earlier or later. The hardiness zone describes the average coldest winter night, not frost dates or summer heat. Spots inside the city can differ (ZIP table). Planting rules come from Colorado State University Extension's guide, written for Colorado. A local extension office may give dates tuned to the area. Planting and harvest dates marked GardenFacts calculation are simple arithmetic from the facts above, not advice from the source.

Hardiness zone data: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), USDA Agricultural Research Service and PRISM Group, Oregon State University, prism.oregonstate.edu, accessed October 30, 2026. This is not the official USDA map. Frost data: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020. Planting rules: Colorado State University Extension.