When to Plant in New Mexico: Vegetable & Flower Planting Calendar
Quick answer
Plant around your local last spring frost: across the 371 New Mexico ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the median is May 2 and the median first fall frost is Oct 16 (nearest NOAA station, 1991–2020). Transplant tomatoes 1–2 weeks after your last frost: Zone 5 areas: Jun 7 – Jun 14; Zone 6 areas: May 22 – May 29; Zone 7 areas: May 1 – May 8; Zone 8 areas: Apr 1 – Apr 8.
New Mexico spans USDA hardiness zones 5a–8b on the 2023 USDA map (by ZIP code, via PRISM). For the 371 of its 371 ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the nearest NOAA station’s median last spring frost (32°F, 1991–2020) is May 2 (middle 80% of ZIP codes: Mar 29 – May 29) and the median first fall frost is Oct 16 (Sep 27 – Nov 7). Use this guide to time seed-starting, transplanting and fall planting.
Where these dates come from: every date range is counted from the median (50% probability) 32°F last spring and first fall frost dates in NOAA’s 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals for the area shown. The rule under each date, such as “4–6 weeks before last frost,” shows how it was counted. These are averages: in about half of years a frost still comes after the spring date, and elevation, nearby water and microclimate can shift your yard by a week or more. For dates for your exact location, enter your ZIP code in the planner.
How we count planting dates: the weeks before or after frost for each crop come from university extension planting guides: UNH Extension, When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden; Rutgers FS787, Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors; Virginia Tech 426-331, Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide; University of Maryland Extension, Vegetable Planting Calendar; and University of Idaho CIS 1209 (marigolds and zinnias). Bulb windows approximate Rutgers’ rule to plant when soil falls below 60°F (FS1220), and garlic follows SDSU, Illinois and Virginia Tech. Temperature notes: UMD (potatoes), UMN (sweet corn), UC ANR (peppers, hardening off), UMN (eggplant), Colorado State (tomatoes) and SDSU (hardening off).
New Mexico frost dates by zone area
| Zone areas | Most common nearest NOAA stations | Median last spring frost (32°F) | Median first fall frost (32°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 5 (19 ZIP codes) | Cerro, NM, Taos, NM, Lindrith 1 Wsw, NM | May 31middle 80%: May 19 – Jun 13 | Sep 27middle 80%: Sep 18 – Oct 3 |
| Zone 6 (123 ZIP codes) | Gascon, NM, Cubero, NM, Pecos Nm, NM | May 15middle 80%: Apr 30 – Jun 1 | Oct 3middle 80%: Sep 26 – Oct 16 |
| Zone 7 (168 ZIP codes) | Albuquerque Foothills Ne, NM, Los Lunas 3 Ssw, NM, Albuquerque Valley, NM | Apr 24middle 80%: Apr 8 – May 11 | Oct 21middle 80%: Oct 5 – Nov 1 |
| Zone 8 (61 ZIP codes) | State Univ, NM, Caballo Dam, NM, Santa Teresa Airport, NM | Mar 25middle 80%: Mar 12 – Apr 23 | Nov 7middle 80%: Oct 25 – Nov 13 |
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, annual/seasonal freeze-date probabilities (32°F, 50% probability). Station-level medians; your yard may differ.
How this table is built: each New Mexico ZIP code is matched to its nearest NOAA 1991–2020 freeze-data station (within 60 miles) and grouped by its 2023 USDA hardiness zone; dates are medians across the ZIP codes in each group. Some nearest stations are across the state line (Duncan, AZ, Kim 10Sse, CO, La Tuna 1 S, TX, Lukachukai, AZ, Morton, TX, Portal 4 Sw, AZ…). For your own ZIP, use the planner.
New Mexico vegetable planting calendar
Planting dates for each zone area of New Mexico, counted from that area’s median frost dates (shown under each column). Rows run in calendar order. For your exact dates, enter your ZIP.
| Plant, task and rule | Zone 5 areasLast frost May 31 · First frost Sep 27 | Zone 6 areasLast frost May 15 · First frost Oct 3 | Zone 7 areasLast frost Apr 24 · First frost Oct 21 | Zone 8 areasLast frost Mar 25 · First frost Nov 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broccoli · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Jan 14 – Jan 28 |
| Cabbage · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Jan 14 – Jan 28 |
| Kale · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Jan 14 – Jan 28 |
| Tomatoes · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Jan 28 – Feb 11 |
| Peppers · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Jan 28 – Feb 11 |
| Eggplant · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Jan 28 – Feb 11 |
| Peas · Direct sow4–6 weeks before last frost | Apr 19 – May 3Harvest (est.) Jun 18 – Jul 22 | Apr 3 – Apr 17Harvest (est.) Jun 2 – Jul 6 | Mar 13 – Mar 27Harvest (est.) May 12 – Jun 15 | Feb 11 – Feb 25Harvest (est.) Apr 12 – May 16 |
| Spinach · Direct sow4–6 weeks before last frost | Apr 19 – May 3Harvest (est.) Jun 3 – Jul 2 | Apr 3 – Apr 17Harvest (est.) May 18 – Jun 16 | Mar 13 – Mar 27Harvest (est.) Apr 27 – May 26 | Feb 11 – Feb 25Harvest (est.) Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Basil · Start indoors4–6 weeks before last frost | Apr 19 – May 3 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 |
| Radishes · Direct sow2–5 weeks before last frost | Apr 26 – May 17Harvest (est.) May 16 – Jun 16 | Apr 10 – May 1Harvest (est.) Apr 30 – May 31 | Mar 20 – Apr 10Harvest (est.) Apr 9 – May 10 | Feb 18 – Mar 11Harvest (est.) Mar 10 – Apr 10 |
| Lettuce · Direct sow2–4 weeks before last frost | May 3 – May 17Harvest (est.) Jul 2 – Aug 5 | Apr 17 – May 1Harvest (est.) Jun 16 – Jul 20 | Mar 27 – Apr 10Harvest (est.) May 26 – Jun 29 | Feb 25 – Mar 11Harvest (est.) Apr 26 – May 30 |
| Onions (sets/transplants) · Plant sets/transplants2–4 weeks before last frost | May 3 – May 17Harvest (est.) Jul 27 – Sep 14 | Apr 17 – May 1Harvest (est.) Jul 11 – Aug 29 | Mar 27 – Apr 10Harvest (est.) Jun 20 – Aug 8 | Feb 25 – Mar 11Harvest (est.) May 21 – Jul 9 |
| Broccoli · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | May 3 – May 17Harvest (est.) Jun 22 – Jul 26 | Apr 17 – May 1Harvest (est.) Jun 6 – Jul 10 | Mar 27 – Apr 10Harvest (est.) May 16 – Jun 19 | Feb 25 – Mar 11Harvest (est.) Apr 16 – May 20 |
| Cabbage · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | May 3 – May 17Harvest (est.) Jul 12 – Aug 15 | Apr 17 – May 1Harvest (est.) Jun 26 – Jul 30 | Mar 27 – Apr 10Harvest (est.) Jun 5 – Jul 9 | Feb 25 – Mar 11Harvest (est.) May 6 – Jun 9 |
| Kale · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | May 3 – May 17 | Apr 17 – May 1 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 |
| Marigolds · Start indoors0–3 weeks before last frost (3–4 weeks before setting out; Univ. of Idaho) | May 10 – May 31 | Apr 24 – May 15 | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | Mar 4 – Mar 25 |
| Zinnias · Start indoors0–3 weeks before last frost (3–4 weeks before setting out; Univ. of Idaho) | May 10 – May 31 | Apr 24 – May 15 | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | Mar 4 – Mar 25 |
| Potatoes · Plant seed potatoes1–2 weeks before last frost | May 17 – May 24Harvest (est.) Aug 10 – Sep 11 | May 1 – May 8Harvest (est.) Jul 25 – Aug 26 | Apr 10 – Apr 17Harvest (est.) Jul 4 – Aug 5 | Mar 11 – Mar 18Harvest (est.) Jun 4 – Jul 6 |
| Marigolds · Direct sow / transplantfrom the last frost to 2 weeks after (Univ. of Idaho) | May 31 – Jun 14 | May 15 – May 29 | Apr 24 – May 8 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 |
| Zinnias · Direct sow / transplantfrom the last frost to 2 weeks after (Univ. of Idaho) | May 31 – Jun 14 | May 15 – May 29 | Apr 24 – May 8 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 |
| Tomatoes · Transplant1–2 weeks after last frost | Jun 7 – Jun 14Harvest (est.) Aug 16 – Sep 12 | May 22 – May 29Harvest (est.) Jul 31 – Aug 27 | May 1 – May 8Harvest (est.) Jul 10 – Aug 6 | Apr 1 – Apr 8Harvest (est.) Jun 10 – Jul 7 |
| Beans (bush & pole) · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | Jun 7 – Jun 14Harvest (est.) Jul 22 – Aug 23 | May 22 – May 29Harvest (est.) Jul 6 – Aug 7 | May 1 – May 8Harvest (est.) Jun 15 – Jul 17 | Apr 1 – Apr 8Harvest (est.) May 16 – Jun 17 |
| Sweet corn · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | Jun 7 – Jun 14Harvest (est.) Aug 11 – Sep 12 | May 22 – May 29Harvest (est.) Jul 26 – Aug 27 | May 1 – May 8Harvest (est.) Jul 5 – Aug 6 | Apr 1 – Apr 8Harvest (est.) Jun 5 – Jul 7 |
| Cucumbers · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | Jun 7 – Jun 14Harvest (est.) Jul 17 – Aug 18 | May 22 – May 29Harvest (est.) Jul 1 – Aug 2 | May 1 – May 8Harvest (est.) Jun 10 – Jul 12 | Apr 1 – Apr 8Harvest (est.) May 11 – Jun 12 |
| Squash · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | Jun 7 – Jun 14Harvest (est.) Jul 17 – Aug 3 | May 22 – May 29Harvest (est.) Jul 1 – Jul 18 | May 1 – May 8Harvest (est.) Jun 10 – Jun 27 | Apr 1 – Apr 8Harvest (est.) May 11 – May 28 |
| Pumpkins · Direct sow1–3 weeks after last frost | Jun 7 – Jun 21Harvest (est.) Aug 26 – Sep 27 (first fall frost) | May 22 – Jun 5Harvest (est.) Aug 10 – Sep 13 | May 1 – May 15Harvest (est.) Jul 20 – Aug 23 | Apr 1 – Apr 15Harvest (est.) Jun 20 – Jul 24 |
| Basil · Transplant1–2 weeks after last frost | Jun 7 – Jun 14Harvest (est.) Jul 19 – Jul 26 | May 22 – May 29Harvest (est.) Jul 3 – Jul 10 | May 1 – May 8Harvest (est.) Jun 12 – Jun 19 | Apr 1 – Apr 8Harvest (est.) May 13 – May 20 |
| Peppers · Transplant2–3 weeks after last frost | Jun 14 – Jun 21Harvest (est.) Aug 18 – Sep 4 | May 29 – Jun 5Harvest (est.) Aug 2 – Aug 19 | May 8 – May 15Harvest (est.) Jul 12 – Jul 29 | Apr 8 – Apr 15Harvest (est.) Jun 12 – Jun 29 |
| Eggplant · Transplant2–3 weeks after last frost | Jun 14 – Jun 21Harvest (est.) Aug 23 – Sep 19 | May 29 – Jun 5Harvest (est.) Aug 7 – Sep 3 | May 8 – May 15Harvest (est.) Jul 17 – Aug 13 | Apr 8 – Apr 15Harvest (est.) Jun 17 – Jul 14 |
| Broccoli · Fall transplant10–12 weeks before first fall frost | Jul 5 – Jul 19Harvest (est.) Aug 24 – Sep 27 | Jul 11 – Jul 25Harvest (est.) Aug 30 – Oct 3 | Jul 29 – Aug 12Harvest (est.) Sep 17 – Oct 21 | Aug 15 – Aug 29Harvest (est.) Oct 4 – Nov 7 |
| Cabbage · Fall transplant10–12 weeks before first fall frost | Jul 5 – Jul 19Harvest (est.) Sep 13 – Oct 17 | Jul 11 – Jul 25Harvest (est.) Sep 19 – Oct 23 | Jul 29 – Aug 12Harvest (est.) Oct 7 – Nov 10 | Aug 15 – Aug 29Harvest (est.) Oct 24 – Nov 27 |
| Kale · Fall sow8–10 weeks before first fall frost | Jul 19 – Aug 2Harvest (est.) Sep 7 – Oct 11 | Jul 25 – Aug 8Harvest (est.) Sep 13 – Oct 17 | Aug 12 – Aug 26Harvest (est.) Oct 1 – Nov 4 | Aug 29 – Sep 12Harvest (est.) Oct 18 – Nov 21 |
| Lettuce · Fall sow6–8 weeks before first fall frost | Aug 2 – Aug 16Harvest (est.) Oct 1 – Nov 4 | Aug 8 – Aug 22Harvest (est.) Oct 7 – Nov 10 | Aug 26 – Sep 9Harvest (est.) Oct 25 – Nov 28 | Sep 12 – Sep 26Harvest (est.) Nov 11 – Dec 15 |
| Spinach · Fall sow4–7 weeks before first fall frost (Virginia Tech) | Aug 9 – Aug 30Harvest (est.) Sep 23 – Oct 29 | Aug 15 – Sep 5Harvest (est.) Sep 29 – Nov 4 | Sep 2 – Sep 23Harvest (est.) Oct 17 – Nov 22 | Sep 19 – Oct 10Harvest (est.) Nov 3 – Dec 9 |
| Radishes · Fall sow4–6 weeks before first fall frost | Aug 16 – Aug 30Harvest (est.) Sep 5 – Sep 29 | Aug 22 – Sep 5Harvest (est.) Sep 11 – Oct 5 | Sep 9 – Sep 23Harvest (est.) Sep 29 – Oct 23 | Sep 26 – Oct 10Harvest (est.) Oct 16 – Nov 9 |
| Daffodils · Fall plant bulbs4 weeks before to 2 weeks after first fall frost (our approximation of when soil falls below 60°F; Rutgers) | Aug 30 – Oct 11 | Sep 5 – Oct 17 | Sep 23 – Nov 4 | Oct 10 – Nov 21 |
| Tulips · Fall plant bulbs2 weeks before to 4 weeks after first fall frost (our approximation of when soil falls below 60°F; Rutgers) | Sep 13 – Oct 25 | Sep 19 – Oct 31 | Oct 7 – Nov 18 | Oct 24 – Dec 5 |
| Garlic · Fall plant cloves2 weeks before to 3 weeks after first fall frost, while the soil is still workable (SDSU, Illinois, Virginia Tech) | Sep 13 – Oct 18Harvest (est.) May 21, 2027 – Jul 15, 2027 | Sep 19 – Oct 24Harvest (est.) May 27, 2027 – Jul 21, 2027 | Oct 7 – Nov 11Harvest (est.) Jun 14, 2027 – Aug 8, 2027 | Oct 24 – Nov 28Harvest (est.) Jul 1, 2027 – Aug 25, 2027 |
About the harvest estimates
Each expected harvest window adds the days to harvest from the sources below to the planting window. Days count from sowing seed (or planting seed potatoes, onion sets or garlic cloves) or, where marked, from setting transplants out; “Start indoors” rows have no harvest of their own. Harvest timing varies with variety and weather, and many crops keep producing for weeks after the first picking. For frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, basil) the window stops at the first fall frost: harvest may end early at the first fall frost. Flowers and bulbs show no harvest window, and kale has no sourced figure for spring transplants.
Sources: UF/IFAS Extension, Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide (SP103/VH021), Table 1, “Days to Harvest”; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Onions in a Home Garden; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Garlic in a Home Garden; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Basil in a Home Garden.
Growing notes for each crop
- Peas: Tolerates light frost; sow when soil is workable
- Spinach: Fall crop too: sow 4–7 weeks before first fall frost (Virginia Tech)
- Lettuce: Bolts in heat; succession sow; fall crop too
- Radishes: Fast (3–4 weeks); sow again for fall (see Fall sow dates)
- Kale: Fall crop too (see Fall sow dates); frost sweetens leaves
- Onions (sets/transplants): Choose day-length type suited to your latitude
- Potatoes: Soil at least 45°F (UMD); hill as plants grow
- Broccoli: Cool-season; harden off; good fall crop
- Cabbage: Cool-season; harden off; good fall crop
- Tomatoes: Wait for nights reliably above about 52°F (Colorado State)
- Peppers: Need warm soil: about 65°F is optimal for transplanting (UC ANR)
- Eggplant: Transplant after nights stay above 50°F (UMN)
- Beans (bush & pole): Seeds rot in cold, wet soil
- Sweet corn: Soil 60°F+ (UNH, UMN); plant in blocks for pollination
- Cucumbers: Frost-tender; watch for cucumber beetles
- Squash: Frost-tender; watch for squash vine borer
- Pumpkins: For October pumpkins, many sow in late May–June
- Basil: Very cold-sensitive
- Marigolds: Easy warm-season annual
- Zinnias: Easy warm-season annual
- Tulips: Our frost-date window is an approximation of that soil rule. In zone 9, chill bulbs 12–16 weeks first (Clemson)
- Daffodils: Our frost-date window is an approximation of that soil rule; slightly earlier than tulips is fine
- Garlic: Harvest the following early summer
New Mexico USDA zone guides: Zone 5 planting guide Zone 6 planting guide Zone 7 planting guide Zone 8 planting guide
How we count planting dates: the weeks before or after frost for each crop come from university extension planting guides: UNH Extension, When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden; Rutgers FS787, Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors; Virginia Tech 426-331, Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide; University of Maryland Extension, Vegetable Planting Calendar; and University of Idaho CIS 1209 (marigolds and zinnias). Bulb windows approximate Rutgers’ rule to plant when soil falls below 60°F (FS1220), and garlic follows SDSU, Illinois and Virginia Tech. Temperature notes: UMD (potatoes), UMN (sweet corn), UC ANR (peppers, hardening off), UMN (eggplant), Colorado State (tomatoes) and SDSU (hardening off).
Tips for New Mexico gardeners
- Watch soil temperature, not just the calendar — warm-season crops stall in cold soil. An inexpensive soil thermometer helps.
- Harden off transplants over 7–10 days before planting out (UC ANR, SDSU).
- Ask your local Cooperative Extension office about varieties and timing for your county; find it in the USDA NIFA land-grant university directory.
- Keep weeds down early — see our weed identification guide.
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in New Mexico?
Across the 371 New Mexico ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the median last spring frost (32°F, NOAA 1991–2020) at the nearest station is May 2, and the middle 80% of ZIP codes range from Mar 29 to May 29. Check the average for your ZIP code, and remember frost can occur after the average date.
When can I plant tomatoes in New Mexico?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after your average last frost, once nights stay above about 52°F (Colorado State). Typical dates: Zone 5 areas: Jun 7 – Jun 14; Zone 6 areas: May 22 – May 29; Zone 7 areas: May 1 – May 8; Zone 8 areas: Apr 1 – Apr 8.
What USDA zone is New Mexico?
New Mexico spans roughly USDA hardiness zones 5a–8b on the 2023 USDA map (by ZIP code, via PRISM). Hardiness zones describe winter low temperatures, not frost dates.
Other state planting calendars
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