Santa Fe, NM planting zone & frost dates
Santa Fe is in USDA hardiness zone 6b. The last spring frost usually comes around May 14 and the first fall frost around October 6, for a growing season of about 144 days.
Planting calendar for Santa Fe
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (May 14) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Mar 19 – Apr 2 Transplant outdoors: May 21 – May 28 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Mar 5 – Mar 19 Transplant outdoors: May 28 – Jun 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Mar 5 – Mar 19 Transplant outdoors: May 28 – Jun 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Mar 5 – Mar 19 Transplant outdoors: Apr 16 – Apr 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Mar 5 – Mar 19 Transplant outdoors: Apr 16 – Apr 30 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Apr 16 – Apr 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Apr 2 – Apr 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Apr 2 – Apr 16 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Apr 16 – Apr 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Apr 16 – Apr 30 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Apr 16 – Apr 30 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: May 21 – May 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: May 21 – May 28 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: May 21 – May 28 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: May 21 – May 28 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Apr 2 – Apr 16 Transplant outdoors: May 21 – May 28 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 11 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 6).
Useful for zone 6b gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
- Cold frame / mini greenhouse — adds weeks to a short season
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Apr 30 | May 14 | May 28 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Oct 18 | Oct 6 | Sep 25 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 28, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before September 25. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around May 3.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Santa Fe
- 87501 zone 6b
- 87502 zone 6b
- 87503 zone 6b
- 87504 zone 6b
- 87505 zone 6b
- 87506 zone 7a
- 87507 zone 7a
- 87508 zone 7a
- 87509 zone 6b
- 87592 zone 6b
- 87594 zone 6b
Nearby cities
- Española zone 7a, last frost May 11
- Los Alamos zone 7a, last frost May 2
- Enchanted Hills zone 7b, last frost Apr 16
- North Valley zone 7b, last frost Apr 23
- Rio Rancho zone 7b, last frost Apr 8
- Albuquerque zone 7b, last frost Apr 6
- South Valley zone 7b, last frost Apr 18
- Los Lunas zone 7b, last frost Apr 23
Questions
What growing zone is Santa Fe, NM?
Santa Fe is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6b (average extreme winter low -5°F to 0°F), according to the USDA 2023 map. Some ZIP codes of the city fall in zone 7a.
When is the last frost in Santa Fe?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Santa Fe is May 14. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 28.
When can I plant tomatoes in Santa Fe?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around May 21 – May 28. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Santa Fe 2, NM (USC00298085), 8.2 km (5.1 mi) from the city center, elevation 2059 m, based on 27 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.