Frost Dates for Santa Fe, NM 87501
Last spring frost May 22 · First fall frost September 29 · 130 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6b
ZIP 87501 has about 16,000 people, one of 5 ZIP codes in Santa Fe.
Moderate season: 130 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans May 6–June 8 (33 days). Fall frost risk spans September 18–October 9 (21 days).
Frost probability for 87501
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | June 8 | May 22 | May 6 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 18 | September 29 | October 9 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at PECOS NM (24.2 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 130-day season in Santa Fe
In Santa Fe (130 frost-free days, a moderate season), 37 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 16 get two plantings, 2 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 88 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 88 available after Jun 5. | — |
| Pepper | Apr 10 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 88 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 88 available after Jun 5. | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 1 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 6. | Aug 8 |
| Carrots | — | May 1–May 8 | 172 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 172 available after May 1. | Jul 28 |
| Cucumber | May 1 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 102 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 102 available after Jun 5. | Jul 3 |
| Beans | — | May 29–Jun 12 | 116 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 116 available after May 29. | Jul 10 |
| Peas | — | Mar 27–Jun 5 | 193 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 193 available after Mar 27. | Jul 19 |
| Zucchini | May 8 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 102 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 102 available after Jun 5. | Jul 8 |
| Onion | Feb 27 | Apr 24–May 8 | 165 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 165 available after Apr 24. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 27–May 15 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 27 |
| Kale | Mar 13 | Apr 24–May 8 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Broccoli | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 8 | 165 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 165 available after Apr 24. | Jul 4 |
| Cabbage | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 8 | 179 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 24. | Jul 28 |
| Radish | — | Mar 27–Jun 19 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 6. | Aug 28 |
| Beets | — | Mar 27–Jun 19 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 29 |
| Potatoes | — | May 8–May 15 | 151 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 151 available after May 8. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 29 | 235 | overwinter: Plant Sep 29 to Oct 20; harvest the following summer. | Oct 20 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 17–Jun 12 | 186 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 17; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 24 | May 29–Jun 5 | 102 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 102 available after May 29. | Jun 11 |
| Pumpkin | May 8 | Jun 5–Jun 5 | 95 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 5, the outdoor season is about 5 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 10 | May 15–May 29 | 144 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 144 available after May 15. | Jul 9 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 27 | May 8–May 8 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 29 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 27–Jun 19 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 27 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 8 | 179 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 24. | Jun 28 |
| Butternut Squash | May 8 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 95 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 5, the outdoor season is about 5 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Eggplant | Apr 3 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 88 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 88 available after Jun 5. | Jun 9 |
| Okra | Apr 24 | May 29–Jun 5 | 109 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 109 available after May 29. | Jul 8 |
| Basil | Apr 17 | Jun 12–Jun 12 | 95 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 95 available after Jun 12. | Jul 3 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 24–May 15 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 6. | Aug 3 |
| Parsley | Mar 13 | May 29–Jun 5 | 130 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 130 available after May 29. | Jul 14 |
| Celery | Mar 13 | May 29–Jun 12 | 130 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 130 available after May 29. | — |
| Scallions | Mar 13 | Apr 24–May 8 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 7 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 24–May 8 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 17 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 24 | May 15–May 22 | 144 | two-plantings: Plant May 15 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 6. | Aug 8 |
| Collards | Mar 13 | Apr 24–May 8 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 7 |
| Cantaloupe | May 8 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 88 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 88 available after Jun 5. | — |
| Chives | Feb 27 | May 29–Jun 5 | 144 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 144 available after May 29. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 27–Jun 19 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 29 |
| Oregano | Mar 13 | May 29–Jun 5 | 144 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 144 available after May 29. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 27 | May 29–Jun 5 | 130 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 130 available after May 29. | — |
| Sage | Mar 27 | May 29–Jun 5 | 144 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 144 available after May 29. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 13 | May 29–Jun 5 | 144 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 144 available after May 29. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 10 | May 8–May 22 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 6. | Aug 3 |
| Cosmos | Apr 24 | May 22–Jun 5 | 116 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 116 available after May 22. | Jul 3 |
| Lavender | Feb 27 | May 22–Jun 5 | 151 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 151 available after May 22. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 10 | May 22–May 29 | 116 | two-plantings: Plant May 22 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 15. | Jul 13 |
| Melons | May 8 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 88 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 88 available after Jun 5. | — |
| Mint | — | May 22–Jun 5 | 151 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 151 available after May 22. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 24 | May 22–May 29 | 116 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 116 available after May 22. | Jul 8 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 29–Jun 12 | 109 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 109 available after May 29. | Jun 28 |
| Spaghetti Squash | May 8 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 95 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 95 available after Jun 5. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | May 22–Jun 5 | 116 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 116 available after May 22. | Jun 23 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 27 | May 29–Jun 5 | 95 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 95 available after May 29. | Jun 4 |
| Watermelon | May 8 | May 29–Jun 5 | 95 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 95 available after May 29. | May 30 |
| Yellow Squash | May 8 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 102 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 102 available after Jun 5. | Jul 8 |
| Zinnias | Apr 24 | May 22–Jun 5 | 116 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 116 available after May 22. | Jul 3 |
Month by month in Santa Fe
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 27), Lavender (Feb 27), Onion (Feb 27), Rosemary (Feb 27). |
| March | Start indoors: Celery (Mar 13), Collards (Mar 13), Kale (Mar 13), Oregano (Mar 13), Parsley (Mar 13), Scallions (Mar 13), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 27), Beets (Mar 27), Dill (Mar 27), Peas (Mar 27), Radish (Mar 27), Spinach (Mar 27). |
| April | Start indoors: Eggplant (Apr 3), Calendula (Apr 10), Cauliflower (Apr 10), Marigolds (Apr 10), Pepper (Apr 10), Basil (Apr 17), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Apr 10), Cilantro (Apr 24), Turnip (Apr 24). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 24), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 24), Cabbage (Apr 24), Collards (Apr 24), Kale (Apr 24), Lettuce (Apr 24), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 17). |
| May | Start indoors: Cucumber (May 1), Butternut Squash (May 8), Cantaloupe (May 8), Melons (May 8), Pumpkin (May 8), Spaghetti Squash (May 8), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (May 1), Potatoes (May 8), Sunflowers (May 22), Beans (May 29), Pole Beans (May 29). Transplant from: Calendula (May 8), Swiss Chard (May 8), Bok Choy (May 15), Cauliflower (May 15), Cosmos (May 22), Lavender (May 22), +15 more. Last frost around May 22. Last sowing dates: Watermelon (May 30). |
| June | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (Jun 5), Cantaloupe (Jun 5), Cucumber (Jun 5), Eggplant (Jun 5), Melons (Jun 5), Pepper (Jun 5), +6 more. Last sowing dates: Tomatillos (Jun 4), Eggplant (Jun 9), Corn (Jun 11), Sunflowers (Jun 23), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 28), Pole Beans (Jun 28). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Basil (Jul 3), Cosmos (Jul 3), Cucumber (Jul 3), Zinnias (Jul 3), Broccoli (Jul 4), Nasturtiums (Jul 8), +13 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Aug 3), Cilantro (Aug 3), Collards (Aug 7), Scallions (Aug 7), Bok Choy (Aug 8), Lettuce (Aug 8), +6 more. |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 29). First frost around September 29. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 20). |
| November | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
| 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 Santa Fe, NM (ZIP 87501)?
The median last spring frost date for Santa Fe, NM (ZIP code 87501) is around May 22. 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 May 6; one in ten it runs past June 8.
What is the first fall frost date in Santa Fe, NM?
The median first fall frost date for Santa Fe, NM is around September 29. 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 September 18 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Santa Fe, NM?
The frost-free growing season in Santa Fe is about 130 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 Santa Fe (130 frost-free days, a moderate season), 37 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 16 get two plantings, 2 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Santa Fe, NM?
Santa Fe, NM is in USDA hardiness zone 6b (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 Santa Fe, NM?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 17 and plant out Jun 5 in Santa Fe. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Santa Fe?
Two: plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 6.
When do I plant garlic in Santa Fe?
Sep 29 to Oct 20; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Butternut Squash in Santa Fe?
Yes, with help. Even planted out Jun 5, the outdoor season is about 5 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Santa Fe (ZIP 87507) has 139 frost-free days, 9 more than Santa Fe (ZIP 87501). See Santa Fe ZIP 87507 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Santa Fe, NM 87505 (6.2 mi)
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- Frost dates for Santa Fe, NM 87507 (15.1 mi)
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- Frost dates for Los Alamos, NM 87544 (25.9 mi)
- When to plant in Santa Fe, NM: month-by-month guide
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