Frost Dates for Albuquerque, NM 87122
Albuquerque has 19 ZIP codes. The Albuquerque, NM frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost May 2 · First fall frost October 17 · 168 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7b
ZIP 87122 has about 18,600 people, one of 19 ZIP codes in Albuquerque.
Moderate season: 168 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 16–May 18 (32 days). Fall frost risk spans October 5–October 28 (23 days).
Frost probability for 87122
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 18 | May 2 | April 16 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 5 | October 17 | October 28 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at LOS LUNAS 3 SSW (52.8 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 168-day season in Albuquerque
In Albuquerque (168 frost-free days, a moderate season), 31 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 24 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 28 | May 16–May 23 | 126 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 126 available after May 16. | Jun 17 |
| Pepper | Mar 21 | May 16–May 23 | 126 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 126 available after May 16. | Jun 22 |
| Lettuce | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 26 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 210 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 210 available after Apr 11. | Aug 15 |
| Cucumber | Apr 11 | May 16–May 23 | 140 | two-plantings: Plant May 16 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 21 |
| Beans | — | May 9–May 23 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 10. | Jul 28 |
| Peas | — | Mar 7–May 16 | 231 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 231 available after Mar 7. | Aug 6 |
| Zucchini | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 140 | two-plantings: Plant May 16 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 26 |
| Onion | Feb 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 203 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 7–Apr 25 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 7. | Sep 14 |
| Kale | Feb 21 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 30 |
| Broccoli | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 203 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 4. | Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 217 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 217 available after Apr 4. | Aug 15 |
| Radish | — | Mar 7–May 30 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Oct 24. | Sep 15 |
| Beets | — | Mar 7–May 30 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 189 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 17 | 273 | overwinter: Plant Oct 17 to Nov 7; harvest the following summer. | Nov 7 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 28–May 23 | 224 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 28; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 4 | May 9–May 16 | 140 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 140 available after May 9. | Jun 29 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 18 | May 16–May 16 | 133 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 133 available after May 16. | Jun 4 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 21 | Apr 25–May 9 | 182 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 25. | Jul 27 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 7 | Apr 18–Apr 18 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 7–May 30 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 7. | Sep 14 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 217 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 217 available after Apr 4. | Jul 16 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 133 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 133 available after May 16. | Jun 4 |
| Eggplant | Mar 14 | May 16–May 23 | 126 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 126 available after May 16. | Jun 27 |
| Okra | Apr 4 | May 9–May 16 | 147 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 26 |
| Basil | Mar 28 | May 23–May 23 | 133 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 133 available after May 23. | Jul 21 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 4–Apr 25 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 21 |
| Parsley | Feb 21 | May 9–May 16 | 168 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 168 available after May 9. | Aug 1 |
| Celery | Feb 21 | May 9–May 23 | 168 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 168 available after May 9. | Jun 12 |
| Scallions | Feb 21 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 25 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 7. | Sep 4 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 30 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 4 | Apr 25–May 2 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 26 |
| Collards | Feb 21 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 7. | Aug 25 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 126 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 126 available after May 16. | Jun 12 |
| Chives | Feb 7 | May 9–May 16 | 182 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 182 available after May 9. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 7–May 30 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Oregano | Feb 21 | May 9–May 16 | 182 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 182 available after May 9. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 7 | May 9–May 16 | 168 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 168 available after May 9. | — |
| Sage | Mar 7 | May 9–May 16 | 182 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 182 available after May 9. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 21 | May 9–May 16 | 182 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 182 available after May 9. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 21 | Apr 18–May 2 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 21 |
| Cosmos | Apr 4 | May 2–May 16 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 21 |
| Lavender | Feb 7 | May 2–May 16 | 189 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 189 available after May 2. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 21 | May 2–May 9 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 31 |
| Melons | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 126 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 126 available after May 16. | Jun 12 |
| Mint | — | May 2–May 16 | 189 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 189 available after May 2. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 26 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 9–May 23 | 147 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 147 available after May 9. | Jul 16 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 133 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 133 available after May 16. | Jun 14 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 2–May 16 | 154 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 154 available after May 2. | Jul 11 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 7 | May 9–May 16 | 133 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 133 available after May 9. | Jun 22 |
| Watermelon | Apr 18 | May 9–May 16 | 133 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 133 available after May 9. | Jun 17 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 140 | two-plantings: Plant May 16 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 26 |
| Zinnias | Apr 4 | May 2–May 16 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 21 |
Month by month in Albuquerque
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 7), Lavender (Feb 7), Onion (Feb 7), Rosemary (Feb 7), Celery (Feb 21), Collards (Feb 21), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 7), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 7), Cabbage (Mar 7), Lettuce (Mar 7), Sage (Mar 7), Swiss Chard (Mar 7), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 7), Beets (Mar 7), Dill (Mar 7), Peas (Mar 7), Radish (Mar 7), Spinach (Mar 7), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 28). |
| April | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Apr 4), Corn (Apr 4), Cosmos (Apr 4), Nasturtiums (Apr 4), Okra (Apr 4), Zinnias (Apr 4), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 4), Turnip (Apr 4), Carrots (Apr 11), Potatoes (Apr 18). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 4), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 4), Cabbage (Apr 4), Collards (Apr 4), Kale (Apr 4), Lettuce (Apr 4), +6 more. |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 2), Beans (May 9), Pole Beans (May 9). Transplant from: Cosmos (May 2), Lavender (May 2), Marigolds (May 2), Mint (May 2), Nasturtiums (May 2), Zinnias (May 2), +23 more. Last frost around May 2. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 4), Pumpkin (Jun 4), Cantaloupe (Jun 12), Celery (Jun 12), Melons (Jun 12), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 14), +6 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 11), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 16), Pole Beans (Jul 16), Basil (Jul 21), Cosmos (Jul 21), Cucumber (Jul 21), +9 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Parsley (Aug 1), Peas (Aug 6), Cabbage (Aug 15), Carrots (Aug 15), Beets (Aug 16), Dill (Aug 16), +9 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Sep 4), Arugula (Sep 14), Spinach (Sep 14), Radish (Sep 15). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 17). First frost around October 17. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 7). |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Albuquerque, NM (ZIP 87122)?
The median last spring frost date for Albuquerque, NM (ZIP code 87122) is around May 2. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before April 16; one in ten it runs past May 18.
What is the first fall frost date in Albuquerque, NM?
The median first fall frost date for Albuquerque, NM is around October 17. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around October 5 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Albuquerque, NM?
The frost-free growing season in Albuquerque is about 168 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Albuquerque (168 frost-free days, a moderate season), 31 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 24 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Albuquerque, NM?
Albuquerque, NM is in USDA hardiness zone 7b (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Albuquerque, NM?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 28 and plant out May 16 in Albuquerque. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Albuquerque?
Two: plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 24.
When do I plant garlic in Albuquerque?
Oct 17 to Nov 7; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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