When is the last frost in Albuquerque, NM?

The average (50% probability) last spring frost in Albuquerque is April 6, based on NOAA 1991–2020 normals. A 1-in-10 risk remains until April 23.

When is the first frost in Albuquerque?

The average first fall frost in Albuquerque is November 3, with a growing season of about 208 days.

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Albuquerque, New Mexico frost dates

Average last spring frost: April 6. Average first fall frost: November 3. That gives a growing season of about 208 days. For frost-tender plants, a safer planting date is April 23, after which a freeze happens in only 1 year in 10.

Last frost (50%)

Apr 6

1-in-10 risk after Apr 23

First frost (50%)

Nov 3

1-in-10 risk before Oct 21

Growing season

208 days

median frost-free days

Hard freeze (28°F)

Mar 17

median last 28°F in spring

Frost risk by date

Chance of frost	Spring: frost after	Fall: frost before
90%	March 17	November 16
70%	March 31	November 9
50%	April 6	November 3
30%	April 12	October 29
10%	April 23	October 21

Read the spring column like this: there is a 10% chance of a 32°F freeze after April 23. These are NOAA probabilities for the Albuquerque International Airport weather station (USW00023050, elevation 1619 m), 1991–2020.

Albuquerque vegetable planting calendar

Dates count from the 50% last-frost date (April 6). For tomatoes, peppers and other frost-tender crops, waiting until the 10% date (Apr 23) is the cautious choice.

Crop	Start seeds indoors	Plant out
Beans	Mar 16	Apr 13 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Broccoli	Jan 26	Mar 9
Brussels sprouts	Jan 26	Mar 9
Cabbage	Jan 19	Mar 2
Cauliflower	Feb 9	Mar 23
Sweet corn	Mar 9	Apr 6 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Cucumbers	Mar 23	Apr 13
Kale	Jan 19	Mar 2
Leeks	Dec 22	Mar 2
Lettuce	Feb 16	Mar 23
Melons	Mar 30	Apr 20
Onions	Dec 15	Feb 23 (from seed; sets and transplants go out at the same time)
Peas	Feb 9	Mar 9 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Peppers	Feb 23	Apr 20
Squash	Mar 30	Apr 20
Tomatoes	Feb 9	Apr 6

Offsets from Oregon State University Extension's seed-starting table. "Plant out" means transplant, or sow directly for crops usually grown from seed.

Fall frost and season extension

The first fall freeze usually arrives around November 3. There's a 1-in-10 chance it comes before October 21. Harvest tender crops such as basil, tomatoes, peppers and squash before then, or cover them on cold nights. Cool-season crops like kale, cabbage and Brussels sprouts handle light frost, and often taste sweeter after it. A hard freeze (28°F) typically comes around November 15.

Nearby cities

City	Last frost (50%)	First frost (50%)	Distance
Santa Fe, NM	May 4	Oct 15	~80 km
El Paso, TX	Mar 2	Nov 20	~359 km
Pueblo, CO	Apr 30	Oct 9	~409 km
Amarillo, TX	Apr 13	Oct 27	~446 km
Colorado Springs, CO	May 3	Oct 8	~453 km
Flagstaff, AZ	Jun 4	Sep 28	~459 km

More: all New Mexico frost dates