Frost dates for 87122Albuquerque, NM
The average last spring frost in Albuquerque is April 21 and the average first fall frost is October 23, giving a typical growing season of about 184 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 21
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 23
- Growing season
- 184 days
Safer after May 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 12 (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 19 · May 2 · May 15 | Oct 1 · Oct 14 · Oct 27 | 164 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 6 · Apr 21 · May 4 | Oct 12 · Oct 23 · Nov 7 | 184 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 14 · Apr 6 · Apr 25 | Oct 19 · Nov 3 · Nov 17 | 210 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 21 – May 27 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jul 3 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 7 – May 6 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 13 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 21 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Aug 5 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jul 3 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 6 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 6 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 21 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 6 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Jun 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Sep 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Apr 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jun 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 29 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 13 – Nov 13 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 87122 is matched to the NOAA station Albuquerque Foothills Ne, NM, 5.4 km away, at 5,994 ft elevation (108 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque Foothills Ne, NM (used) | 5,994 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 23 |
| Corrales, NM | 5,026 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 17 |
| Sandia Park, NM | 7,030 ft | May 9 | Oct 9 |
| Rio Rancho #2, NM | 5,290 ft | Apr 8 | Nov 1 |
Frost dates near Albuquerque
- Albuquerque, NM 87111 · last Apr 6, first Nov 3
- Corrales, NM 87048 · last Apr 25, first Oct 17
- Cedar Crest, NM 87008 · last May 9, first Oct 9
- Placitas, NM 87043 · last Apr 25, first Oct 17
- Bernalillo, NM 87004 · last Apr 25, first Oct 17
- Sandia Park, NM 87047 · last May 9, first Oct 9
- Rio Rancho, NM 87124 · last Apr 17, first Oct 24
- Kirtland Afb, NM 87117 · last Apr 6, first Nov 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Albuquerque, NM?
- For ZIP code 87122, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 21, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Albuquerque Foothills Ne, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 4.
- When is the first frost in Albuquerque, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 23. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 12, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 87122?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 184 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.