When to plant peppers in New Mexico

Peppers
Plant out in Albuquerque
May 7–May 21

Across New Mexico the window opens between March 23 and May 28. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

Start indoors, Albuquerque
Feb 12–Feb 26
Plant out, Albuquerque
May 7–May 21
Last sowing for a harvest
Jul 8
Last frost, Albuquerque
Apr 23

Start seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before the last frost; plant out 2–4 weeks after the last frost. Peppers germinate slowly. A heat mat under the seed tray speeds them up.

Peppers planting dates by city

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
AlbuquerqueMay 7–May 21
Las CrucesMar 26–Apr 9
Rio RanchoApr 22–May 6
Santa FeMay 28–Jun 11
RoswellApr 27–May 11
FarmingtonMay 16–May 30
HobbsApr 11–Apr 25
ClovisApr 28–May 12
South ValleyMay 2–May 16
CarlsbadMar 31–Apr 14
AlamogordoMar 23–Apr 6

Questions

When should I plant peppers in New Mexico?

In Albuquerque, plant out from May 7 to May 21. Across New Mexico the window opens between March 23 and May 28, depending on the local last frost.

How is this date worked out?

Start seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before the last frost; plant out 2–4 weeks after the last frost. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 averages for the weather station nearest each city.

More for New Mexico

Peppers in other states

Frost dates for every city in New Mexico