When to Plant Garlic in New Mexico
In New Mexico, the time to plant garlic in fall runs from Sep 29 – Oct 27 in Raton to Nov 20 – Dec 18 in Anthony. In Albuquerque, it's Oct 20 – Nov 17. The average first fall frost differs by about 7 weeks across the state (Sep 29 in Raton, Nov 20 in Anthony), so use the dates for the town nearest you.
Garlic is planted in fall, around the first frost, and harvested the next summer. Cloves need a cold winter to form good bulbs.
- Plant: from the first fall frost up to 4 weeks after it.
Garlic planting dates in New Mexico by city
| City | Zone | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|
| Alamogordo | 8a | Nov 18 – Dec 16 |
| Albuquerque | 7b | Oct 20 – Nov 17 |
| Anthony | 8b | Nov 20 – Dec 18 |
| Artesia | 7b | Oct 29 – Nov 26 |
| Aztec | 6b | Oct 6 – Nov 3 |
| Belen | 7a | Oct 21 – Nov 18 |
| Bernalillo | 7b | Oct 23 – Nov 20 |
| Bloomfield | 6b | Oct 19 – Nov 16 |
| Carlsbad | 8a | Nov 12 – Dec 10 |
| Clovis | 7a | Oct 29 – Nov 26 |
| Corrales | 7b | Nov 1 – Nov 29 |
| Deming | 8a | Nov 3 – Dec 1 |
| Edgewood | 6b | Oct 9 – Nov 6 |
| Española | 7a | Oct 6 – Nov 3 |
| Farmington | 7a | Oct 13 – Nov 10 |
| Gallup | 6a | Oct 7 – Nov 4 |
| Grants | 6a | Oct 3 – Oct 31 |
| Hobbs | 8a | Nov 10 – Dec 8 |
| Las Cruces | 8b | Nov 13 – Dec 11 |
| Las Vegas | 6b | Sep 30 – Oct 28 |
| Los Lunas | 7b | Oct 21 – Nov 18 |
| Los Ranchos de Albuquerque | 7b | Oct 20 – Nov 17 |
| Lovington | 7b | Nov 13 – Dec 11 |
| Portales | 7a | Oct 26 – Nov 23 |
| Raton | 6a | Sep 29 – Oct 27 |
| Rio Rancho | 7b | Nov 1 – Nov 29 |
| Roswell | 7b | Oct 30 – Nov 27 |
| Ruidoso | 7a | Oct 5 – Nov 2 |
| Santa Fe | 6b | Oct 6 – Nov 3 |
| Silver City | 7b | Nov 8 – Dec 6 |
| Socorro | 7b | Oct 25 – Nov 22 |
| Sunland Park | 8b | Nov 11 – Dec 9 |
| Taos | 5b | Oct 3 – Oct 31 |
| Truth or Consequences | 8a | Nov 9 – Dec 7 |
| Tucumcari | 7a | Oct 25 – Nov 22 |
Calculated from each town's average (50%) frost dates, from the nearest NOAA station (1991–2020). Typical dates for the 2027 planting season, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 averages. They are long-term odds, not a forecast: always check your local forecast before planting. Zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (USDA-ARS and Oregon State University). Not the official map; see planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
See all frost dates in New Mexico, or the general guide to when to plant garlic.
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