Last frost date in Rio Rancho, NM

Average last frost
April 8

In Rio Rancho, the last spring frost comes around April 8 in an average year. Wait until April 28 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 1, which leaves 203 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 20 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Apr 28
Average first frost
Nov 1
Frost-free season
203 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Mar 20
Next 7 nights in Rio Rancho

No frost in the next 7 nights

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2252°
  2. FriOct 2350°
  3. SatOct 2444°
  4. SunOct 2542°
  5. MonOct 2640°
  6. TueOct 2741°
  7. WedOct 2842°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 8First frost Nov 1203 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND203 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Rio Rancho #2, 4.3 miles from Rio Rancho.

Planting calendar for Rio Rancho

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across New Mexico.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesApr 15–Apr 29
PumpkinsApr 22–May 6
SunflowersApr 8–Apr 29
CucumbersApr 22–Apr 29
CornApr 15–Apr 29
Sweet potatoesApr 29–May 13
WatermelonApr 22–May 6
Green beansApr 15–May 6
ZucchiniApr 15–Apr 29
OkraApr 29–May 13
PeppersApr 22–May 6
BasilApr 15–Apr 29
Butternut squashApr 15–Apr 29
CantaloupeApr 22–May 6
EggplantApr 22–May 6
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 11–Mar 25
OnionsFeb 25–Mar 18
CarrotsMar 18–Apr 22
LettuceMar 25–Apr 15
BroccoliMar 11–Mar 25
BeetsMar 11–Apr 22
PeasFeb 25–Mar 11
CabbageMar 11–Mar 25
RadishesMar 4–Apr 15
Brussels sproutsMar 25–Apr 8
SpinachFeb 25–Mar 18
CilantroMar 25–Apr 15
KaleMar 11–Mar 25
Collard greensMar 11–Mar 25
TurnipsMar 11–Mar 25
DillApr 8–Apr 22
CeleryApr 15–Apr 22
CauliflowerMar 25–Apr 8
LeeksMar 25–Apr 8
Swiss chardMar 25–Apr 22
ParsleyMar 25–Apr 15
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 18–Nov 22
GarlicOct 11–Nov 15
Daffodil bulbsOct 4–Nov 15
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 11–Mar 25
AsparagusMar 11–Mar 25

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FMar 24Apr 8Apr 28Oct 20Nov 1Nov 12
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 5Mar 20Apr 5Oct 29Nov 9Nov 19

Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Where these numbers come from

NOAA station Rio Rancho #2 (USC00297481) sits 4.3 miles from the center of Rio Rancho at 5,290 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.

Questions

When is the last frost in Rio Rancho, NM?

The average last frost date in Rio Rancho is April 8, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 28.

When is the first frost in Rio Rancho?

The first frost in fall usually comes around November 1. One year in ten it arrives before October 20.

How long is the growing season in Rio Rancho?

About 203 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Rio Rancho?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 15 to April 29. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in New Mexico

All 11 cities in New Mexico