When to plant in Albuquerque, NM
USDA Zone 7bEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Albuquerque, New Mexico — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
In zone 7b, Albuquerque supports a wide range of perennials year-round; the frost dates above are what set your annual vegetable timing.
Frost probability
RIO GRANDE NATURE CTR · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Albuquerque’s own odds, recorded at RIO GRANDE NATURE CTR.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 18 | May 5 | Apr 23 | Sep 28 | Oct 10 | Oct 22 |
| 32°F | May 6 | Apr 23 | Apr 7 | Oct 8 | Oct 20 | Nov 1 |
| 28°F | Apr 21 | Apr 5 | Mar 19 | Oct 17 | Oct 31 | Nov 13 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Albuquerque, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 8 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Albuquerque planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Albuquerque, NM?
Albuquerque's average last spring frost falls near April 23 — the 50% mark at 32°F in the 1991–2020 normals. Hold tender transplants until the risk has passed, then plant out.
When is the first fall frost in Albuquerque, NM?
In Albuquerque, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around October 20 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Albuquerque in?
Albuquerque is in USDA hardiness zone 7b. In zone 7b, winters are moderate — most common vegetables grow well in season.
How long is the growing season in Albuquerque?
Albuquerque has about 180 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 23) and first fall frost (October 20).
When should I plant tomatoes in Albuquerque?
For Albuquerque, sow tomatoes indoors about February 26–March 12 and move the seedlings out around April 30, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Albuquerque
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Albuquerque’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- North Valley · 8 km
- South Valley · 11 km
- Rio Rancho · 21 km
- Los Lunas · 36 km
- Santa Fe · 86 km
- Los Alamos · 94 km
- Española · 113 km
- Las Vegas · 141 km
Frost dates recorded at RIO GRANDE NATURE CTR, 4 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Albuquerque, NM — Frost Dates & Zone 7b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00297461. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/new-mexico/albuquerque.