When to plant basil in New Mexico

Basil
Plant out in Albuquerque
Apr 30–May 14

Across New Mexico the window opens between March 16 and May 21. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

Start indoors, Albuquerque
Mar 12–Mar 26
Plant out, Albuquerque
Apr 30–May 14
Sow outdoors, Albuquerque
Apr 30–May 14
Last sowing for a harvest
Jul 23
Last frost, Albuquerque
Apr 23

Start seeds indoors 4–6 weeks before the last frost; plant out 1–3 weeks after the last frost; sow outdoors 1–3 weeks after the last frost. Basil blackens below 50°F. Wait a week or two after the last frost.

Basil planting dates by city

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
AlbuquerqueApr 30–May 14
Las CrucesMar 19–Apr 2
Rio RanchoApr 15–Apr 29
Santa FeMay 21–Jun 4
RoswellApr 20–May 4
FarmingtonMay 9–May 23
HobbsApr 4–Apr 18
ClovisApr 21–May 5
South ValleyApr 25–May 9
CarlsbadMar 24–Apr 7
AlamogordoMar 16–Mar 30

Questions

When should I plant basil in New Mexico?

In Albuquerque, plant out from April 30 to May 14. Across New Mexico the window opens between March 16 and May 21, depending on the local last frost.

How is this date worked out?

Start seeds indoors 4–6 weeks before the last frost; plant out 1–3 weeks after the last frost; sow outdoors 1–3 weeks after the last frost. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 averages for the weather station nearest each city.

More for New Mexico

Basil in other states

Frost dates for every city in New Mexico