Albuquerque, NM Planting Calendar
The last spring frost in Albuquerque usually comes around Apr 15 and the first fall frost around Oct 29, a growing season of about 197 days. Start tomatoes indoors Mar 4 – Mar 18 and plant them outside Apr 29 – May 13.
When to plant vegetables in Albuquerque
| Vegetable | Start seeds indoors | Plant outside | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — |
| Peppers | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | May 6 – May 20 | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | May 6 – May 20 | — |
| Cucumbers | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | — |
| Zucchini & summer squash | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | — |
| Pumpkins & winter squash | — | May 6 – May 20 | — |
| Green beans | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Sweet corn | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | — |
| Basil | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Mar 18 – Apr 29 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Spinach | — | Mar 4 – Mar 25 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Peas | — | Mar 4 – Mar 25 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 18 – Apr 22 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Radishes | — | Mar 11 – Apr 29 | Sep 17 – Oct 1 |
| Broccoli | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Kale | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Onions | — | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 25 – Apr 22 | — |
| Garlic | — | — | Oct 15 – Nov 19 |
Dates count from the median frost dates (2016–2025) for Albuquerque. In a cold spring, wait a week; in a warm one you can go a week early.
Month-by-month planting in Albuquerque
- JanuaryPlan, order seeds and prepare beds.
- FebruaryStart indoors: Peppers, Eggplant, Lettuce, Broccoli, Kale
- MarchStart indoors: Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplant, Basil, Lettuce, KalePlant outside: Lettuce, Spinach, Peas, Carrots, Radishes, Broccoli, Kale, Onions, Potatoes
- AprilStart indoors: BasilPlant outside: Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Zucchini & summer squash, Green beans, Sweet corn, Basil, Lettuce, Carrots, Radishes, Broccoli, Onions, Potatoes
- MayPlant outside: Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplant, Cucumbers, Zucchini & summer squash, Pumpkins & winter squash, Green beans, Sweet corn, Basil
- JunePlan, order seeds and prepare beds.
- JulyPlan, order seeds and prepare beds.
- AugustPlant outside: Green beans, Peas, Carrots, Broccoli, Kale
- SeptemberPlant outside: Lettuce, Spinach, Peas, Radishes, Kale
- OctoberPlant outside: Radishes, Garlic
- NovemberPlant outside: Garlic
- DecemberPlan, order seeds and prepare beds.
Tools for this season
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Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Albuquerque?
The median last spring frost is Apr 15 and the median first fall frost is Oct 29, based on 2016–2025 weather data.
When should I plant tomatoes in Albuquerque?
Start seeds indoors Mar 4 – Mar 18 and set plants outside Apr 29 – May 13, once nights stay above 50°F.
When should I plant a fall garden in Albuquerque?
Sow or transplant cool-season crops 6 to 12 weeks before the first fall frost (around Oct 29): broccoli and carrots first, lettuce, spinach and radishes last.