Frost dates for 87121Albuquerque, NM
The average last spring frost in Albuquerque is April 18 and the average first fall frost is October 24, giving a typical growing season of about 189 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 18
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 24
- Growing season
- 189 days
Safer after May 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 169 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 15 · Apr 30 · May 14 | Oct 4 · Oct 15 · Oct 27 | 168 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 18 · May 3 | Oct 13 · Oct 24 · Nov 4 | 189 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 12 · Mar 31 · Apr 18 | Oct 21 · Nov 2 · Nov 14 | 215 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 18 – May 24 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jul 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 18 – Apr 18 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 4 – May 3 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 18 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Aug 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jul 4 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 3 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 3 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 18 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 3 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Jun 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Sep 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Apr 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 14 – Nov 14 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 87121 is matched to the NOAA station Albuquerque Valley, NM, 4.4 km away, at 4,955 ft elevation (104 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque Valley, NM (used) | 4,955 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 24 |
| Rio Grande Nature Ctr, NM | 4,944 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 20 |
| Petroglyph Natl Mon, NM | 5,121 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 27 |
| Albuquerque Intl Ap, NM | 5,310 ft | Apr 6 | Nov 3 |
Frost dates near Albuquerque
- Albuquerque, NM 87105 · last Apr 18, first Oct 24
- Rio Rancho, NM 87174 · last Apr 18, first Oct 24
- Isleta, NM 87022 · last Apr 18, first Oct 24
- Kirtland Afb, NM 87117 · last Apr 6, first Nov 3
- Bosque Farms, NM 87068 · last Apr 23, first Oct 21
- Corrales, NM 87048 · last Apr 25, first Oct 17
- Peralta, NM 87042 · last Apr 23, first Oct 21
- Los Lunas, NM 87031 · last Apr 23, first Oct 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Albuquerque, NM?
- For ZIP code 87121, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 18, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Albuquerque Valley, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 3.
- When is the first frost in Albuquerque, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 24. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 13, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 87121?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 189 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.