When to Plant Onions in New Mexico
In New Mexico, the time to plant onions outside runs from Jan 31 – Feb 14 in Anthony to Apr 26 – May 10 in Las Vegas. In Albuquerque, it's Mar 26 – Apr 9. The average last spring frost differs by about 12 weeks across the state (Feb 28 in Anthony, May 24 in Las Vegas), so use the dates for the town nearest you.
Onions are cold-hardy. Plant sets or transplants early so they grow leaves before long summer days trigger bulbing.
- Start indoors: 10–12 weeks before the last frost.
- Plant outside: 2–4 weeks before the last frost.
Onions planting dates in New Mexico by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Plant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alamogordo | 8a | Dec 15 – Dec 29 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 |
| Albuquerque | 7b | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Anthony | 8b | Dec 6 – Dec 20 | Jan 31 – Feb 14 |
| Artesia | 7b | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Aztec | 6b | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 |
| Belen | 7a | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Bernalillo | 7b | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
| Bloomfield | 6b | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Carlsbad | 8a | Dec 23 – Jan 6 | Feb 17 – Mar 3 |
| Clovis | 7a | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 |
| Corrales | 7b | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Deming | 8a | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 |
| Edgewood | 6b | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 |
| Española | 7a | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 |
| Farmington | 7a | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 |
| Gallup | 6a | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 |
| Grants | 6a | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 19 – May 3 |
| Hobbs | 8a | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 |
| Las Cruces | 8b | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | Feb 12 – Feb 26 |
| Las Vegas | 6b | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 26 – May 10 |
| Los Lunas | 7b | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Los Ranchos de Albuquerque | 7b | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Lovington | 7b | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 |
| Portales | 7a | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Raton | 6a | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 21 – May 5 |
| Rio Rancho | 7b | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Roswell | 7b | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 |
| Ruidoso | 7a | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 |
| Santa Fe | 6b | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 |
| Silver City | 7b | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Socorro | 7b | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
| Sunland Park | 8b | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 |
| Taos | 5b | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 21 – May 5 |
| Truth or Consequences | 8a | Dec 28 – Jan 11 | Feb 22 – Mar 8 |
| Tucumcari | 7a | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 |
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 onions.
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