When to plant onions in New Mexico

Onions
Plant out in Albuquerque
Mar 12–Apr 2

Across New Mexico the window opens between January 26 and April 2. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

Start indoors, Albuquerque
Jan 29–Feb 26
Plant out, Albuquerque
Mar 12–Apr 2
Last frost, Albuquerque
Apr 23

Start seeds indoors 8–12 weeks before the last frost; plant out 3–6 weeks before the last frost. Northern gardens need long-day varieties and southern gardens need short-day ones. A wrong pick gives small bulbs.

Onions planting dates by city

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
AlbuquerqueMar 12–Apr 2
Las CrucesJan 29–Feb 19
Rio RanchoFeb 25–Mar 18
Santa FeApr 2–Apr 23
RoswellMar 2–Mar 23
FarmingtonMar 21–Apr 11
HobbsFeb 14–Mar 7
ClovisMar 3–Mar 24
South ValleyMar 7–Mar 28
CarlsbadFeb 3–Feb 24
AlamogordoJan 26–Feb 16

Questions

When should I plant onions in New Mexico?

In Albuquerque, plant out from March 12 to April 2. Across New Mexico the window opens between January 26 and April 2, depending on the local last frost.

How is this date worked out?

Start seeds indoors 8–12 weeks before the last frost; plant out 3–6 weeks before the last frost. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 averages for the weather station nearest each city.

More for New Mexico

Onions in other states

Frost dates for every city in New Mexico