When to plant in South Valley, NM
USDA Zone 7bEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in South Valley, New Mexico — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
In zone 7b, South Valley supports a wide range of perennials year-round; the frost dates above are what set your annual vegetable timing.
Frost probability
ALBUQUERQUE VALLEY · 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 South Valley’s own odds, recorded at ALBUQUERQUE VALLEY.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 14 | Apr 30 | Apr 15 | Oct 4 | Oct 15 | Oct 27 |
| 32°F | May 3 | Apr 18 | Apr 1 | Oct 13 | Oct 24 | Nov 4 |
| 28°F | Apr 18 | Mar 31 | Mar 12 | Oct 21 | Nov 2 | Nov 14 |
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 South Valley, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 14 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.
South Valley planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in South Valley, NM?
Plan for the last spring frost in South Valley around April 18 (the date it has a 50% chance of a 32°F freeze). Anything frost-sensitive should go out after it.
When is the first fall frost in South Valley, NM?
The first fall frost in South Valley typically arrives around October 24 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is South Valley in?
South Valley 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 South Valley?
South Valley has about 189 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 18) and first fall frost (October 24).
When should I plant tomatoes in South Valley?
For South Valley, sow tomatoes indoors about February 21–March 7 and move the seedlings out around April 25, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in South Valley
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to South Valley’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Albuquerque · 11 km
- North Valley · 19 km
- Los Lunas · 25 km
- Rio Rancho · 31 km
- Santa Fe · 97 km
- Los Alamos · 105 km
- Española · 124 km
- Las Vegas · 149 km
Frost dates recorded at ALBUQUERQUE VALLEY, 2 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 South Valley, NM — Frost Dates & Zone 7b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00290231. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/new-mexico/south-valley.