When to plant bitter melon in New Mexico
New Mexico spans USDA zones 6a–8b, so the right time to plant bitter melon shifts by weeks across the state. The window to transplant seedlings outdoors runs from about March 14 in Chaparral to June 7 in Las Vegas — below are local dates for 23 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Transplant out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | 7b | April 23 | October 20 | May 7 – May 14 |
| Las Cruces | 8b | March 12 | November 13 | March 26 – April 2 |
| Rio Rancho | 7b | April 8 | November 1 | April 22 – April 29 |
| Santa Fe | 6b | May 14 | October 6 | May 28 – June 4 |
| Roswell | 7b | April 13 | October 30 | April 27 – May 4 |
| Farmington | 7a | May 2 | October 13 | May 16 – May 23 |
| Hobbs | 8a | March 28 | November 10 | April 11 – April 18 |
| Clovis | 7a | April 14 | October 29 | April 28 – May 5 |
Bitter Melon in New Mexico: FAQ
When can I plant bitter melon in New Mexico?
Across New Mexico, the time to transplant bitter melon spans roughly March 14 in Chaparral to June 7 in Las Vegas, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the bitter melon planting date vary across New Mexico?
Yes. New Mexico publishes 23 cities with their own frost dates, so the right bitter melon planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
How long does bitter melon take to grow in New Mexico?
Bitter Melon takes about 55–70 days to reach harvest once planted — check that this fits inside your city's frost-free season on its place page.
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