When to Plant Tomatoes in New Mexico
In New Mexico, the time to transplant tomatoes outside runs from Mar 7 – Mar 21 in Anthony to May 31 – Jun 14 in Las Vegas. In Albuquerque, it's Apr 30 – May 14. 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.
Tomatoes are killed by frost and sulk in cold soil. Wait until nights stay above 50°F, usually one to three weeks after the average last frost.
- Start indoors: 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
- Transplant outside: 1–3 weeks after the last frost.
Tomatoes planting dates in New Mexico by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Transplant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alamogordo | 8a | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 |
| Albuquerque | 7b | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Anthony | 8b | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Artesia | 7b | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Aztec | 6b | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | May 19 – Jun 2 |
| Belen | 7a | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Bernalillo | 7b | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 23 – May 7 |
| Bloomfield | 6b | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Carlsbad | 8a | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 |
| Clovis | 7a | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 21 – May 5 |
| Corrales | 7b | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 |
| Deming | 8a | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 |
| Edgewood | 6b | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | May 16 – May 30 |
| Española | 7a | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | May 18 – Jun 1 |
| Farmington | 7a | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 9 – May 23 |
| Gallup | 6a | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | May 18 – Jun 1 |
| Grants | 6a | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | May 24 – Jun 7 |
| Hobbs | 8a | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 |
| Las Cruces | 8b | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
| Las Vegas | 6b | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 31 – Jun 14 |
| Los Lunas | 7b | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Los Ranchos de Albuquerque | 7b | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Lovington | 7b | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 |
| Portales | 7a | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 22 – May 6 |
| Raton | 6a | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | May 26 – Jun 9 |
| Rio Rancho | 7b | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 |
| Roswell | 7b | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Apr 20 – May 4 |
| Ruidoso | 7a | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | May 18 – Jun 1 |
| Santa Fe | 6b | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | May 21 – Jun 4 |
| Silver City | 7b | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 |
| Socorro | 7b | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 23 – May 7 |
| Sunland Park | 8b | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Taos | 5b | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | May 26 – Jun 9 |
| Truth or Consequences | 8a | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Tucumcari | 7a | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
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 tomatoes.
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