Frost dates for 87047Sandia Park, NM
The average last spring frost in Sandia Park is May 9 and the average first fall frost is October 9, giving a typical growing season of about 152 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 9
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 9
- Growing season
- 152 days
Safer after May 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 194 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | May 7 · May 23 · Jun 8 | Sep 18 · Sep 30 · Oct 12 | 127 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 24 · May 9 · May 26 | Sep 24 · Oct 9 · Oct 24 | 152 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 6 · Apr 26 · May 11 | Oct 1 · Oct 21 · Nov 4 | 178 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Sandia Park
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Apr 8 – Jun 14 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jun 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 19 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 24 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Jun 8 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jun 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Jun 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 30 – Jul 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 29 – Oct 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 87047 is matched to the NOAA station Sandia Park, NM, 6 km away, at 7,030 ft elevation (389 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandia Park, NM (used) | 7,030 ft | May 9 | Oct 9 |
| Albuquerque Foothills Ne, NM | 5,994 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 23 |
| Placitas 4W, NM | 5,585 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 23 |
| Corrales, NM | 5,026 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 17 |
Frost dates near Sandia Park
- Cedar Crest, NM 87008 · last May 9, first Oct 9
- Tijeras, NM 87059 · last May 9, first Oct 9
- Edgewood, NM 87015 · last May 14, first Oct 4
- Albuquerque, NM 87122 · last Apr 21, first Oct 23
- Placitas, NM 87043 · last Apr 25, first Oct 17
- Algodones, NM 87001 · last Apr 17, first Oct 24
- Bernalillo, NM 87004 · last Apr 25, first Oct 17
- Kirtland Afb, NM 87117 · last Apr 6, first Nov 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Sandia Park, NM?
- For ZIP code 87047, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Sandia Park, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 26.
- When is the first frost in Sandia Park, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 24, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 87047?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 152 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.