Frost dates for 87108Albuquerque, NM
The average last spring frost in Albuquerque is April 6 and the average first fall frost is November 3, giving a typical growing season of about 208 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 6
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 3
- Growing season
- 208 days
Safer after Apr 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 21 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 17 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) | Apr 5 · Apr 19 · May 4 | Oct 13 · Oct 25 · Nov 6 | 186 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 17 · Apr 6 · Apr 23 | Oct 21 · Nov 3 · Nov 16 | 208 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 1 · Mar 17 · Apr 7 | Oct 31 · Nov 15 · Nov 26 | 238 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Albuquerque
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 | Mar 6 – May 12 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – Jul 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 6 – Apr 6 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jul 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Jun 6 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Aug 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Jul 14 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – May 22 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – May 6 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Feb 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Jul 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – May 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 24 – Nov 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 87108 is matched to the NOAA station Albuquerque Intl Ap, NM, 5 km away, at 5,310 ft elevation (8 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque Intl Ap, NM (used) | 5,310 ft | Apr 6 | Nov 3 |
| Albuquerque Foothills Ne, NM | 5,994 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 23 |
| Rio Grande Nature Ctr, NM | 4,944 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 20 |
| Albuquerque Valley, NM | 4,955 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 24 |
Frost dates near Albuquerque
- Albuquerque, NM 87116 · last Apr 6, first Nov 3
- Kirtland Afb, NM 87117 · last Apr 6, first Nov 3
- Rio Rancho, NM 87174 · last Apr 18, first Oct 24
- Corrales, NM 87048 · last Apr 25, first Oct 17
- Cedar Crest, NM 87008 · last May 9, first Oct 9
- Isleta, NM 87022 · last Apr 18, first Oct 24
- Bosque Farms, NM 87068 · last Apr 23, first Oct 21
- Tijeras, NM 87059 · last May 9, first Oct 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Albuquerque, NM?
- For ZIP code 87108, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Albuquerque Intl Ap, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 23.
- When is the first frost in Albuquerque, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 87108?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 208 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.