When to Plant Peppers in New Mexico
In New Mexico, the time to transplant peppers outside runs from Mar 14 – Mar 28 in Anthony to Jun 7 – Jun 21 in Las Vegas. In Albuquerque, it's May 7 – May 21. 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.
Peppers need even more warmth than tomatoes. Start them early indoors and set them out once the soil has warmed, two to four weeks after the last frost.
- Start indoors: 8–10 weeks before the last frost.
- Transplant outside: 2–4 weeks after the last frost.
Peppers planting dates in New Mexico by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Transplant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alamogordo | 8a | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 |
| Albuquerque | 7b | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Anthony | 8b | Dec 20 – Jan 3 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Artesia | 7b | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Aztec | 6b | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 26 – Jun 9 |
| Belen | 7a | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Bernalillo | 7b | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Bloomfield | 6b | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Carlsbad | 8a | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Clovis | 7a | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 28 – May 12 |
| Corrales | 7b | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 22 – May 6 |
| Deming | 8a | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Apr 21 – May 5 |
| Edgewood | 6b | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 23 – Jun 6 |
| Española | 7a | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 25 – Jun 8 |
| Farmington | 7a | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 |
| Gallup | 6a | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 25 – Jun 8 |
| Grants | 6a | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | May 31 – Jun 14 |
| Hobbs | 8a | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 |
| Las Cruces | 8b | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Las Vegas | 6b | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Jun 7 – Jun 21 |
| Los Lunas | 7b | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Los Ranchos de Albuquerque | 7b | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Lovington | 7b | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 |
| Portales | 7a | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 29 – May 13 |
| Raton | 6a | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 |
| Rio Rancho | 7b | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 22 – May 6 |
| Roswell | 7b | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Apr 27 – May 11 |
| Ruidoso | 7a | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 25 – Jun 8 |
| Santa Fe | 6b | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 28 – Jun 11 |
| Silver City | 7b | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Socorro | 7b | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Sunland Park | 8b | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Taos | 5b | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 |
| Truth or Consequences | 8a | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Tucumcari | 7a | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | May 2 – May 16 |
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 peppers.
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