Frost dates for 87120Albuquerque, NM
The average last spring frost in Albuquerque is April 15 and the average first fall frost is October 27, giving a typical growing season of about 193 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 15
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 27
- Growing season
- 193 days
Safer after Apr 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 16 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 10 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 14 · Apr 27 · May 8 | Oct 7 · Oct 19 · Oct 29 | 173 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 15 · Apr 30 | Oct 16 · Oct 27 · Nov 7 | 193 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 10 · Mar 31 · Apr 16 | Oct 23 · Nov 4 · Nov 17 | 218 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 15 – May 21 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jul 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jul 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Aug 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jul 7 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 8 – May 31 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 30 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 15 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Feb 28 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 17 – Nov 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 87120 is matched to the NOAA station Petroglyph Natl Mon, NM, 0.7 km away, at 5,121 ft elevation (3 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petroglyph Natl Mon, NM (used) | 5,121 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 27 |
| Rio Grande Nature Ctr, NM | 4,944 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 20 |
| Albuquerque Valley, NM | 4,955 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 24 |
| Albuquerque Intl Ap, NM | 5,310 ft | Apr 6 | Nov 3 |
Frost dates near Albuquerque
- Albuquerque, NM 87104 · last Apr 18, first Oct 24
- Rio Rancho, NM 87174 · last Apr 18, first Oct 24
- Corrales, NM 87048 · last Apr 25, first Oct 17
- Kirtland Afb, NM 87117 · last Apr 6, first Nov 3
- Placitas, NM 87043 · last Apr 25, first Oct 17
- Bernalillo, NM 87004 · last Apr 25, first Oct 17
- Isleta, NM 87022 · last Apr 18, first Oct 24
- Bosque Farms, NM 87068 · last Apr 23, first Oct 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Albuquerque, NM?
- For ZIP code 87120, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Petroglyph Natl Mon, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 30.
- When is the first frost in Albuquerque, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 27. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 16, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 87120?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 193 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.