Knowing when to plant in New Mexico is the single most important factor for a successful garden. Our unique climate, with its high elevation, intense sun, and low humidity, demands careful timing.
If you plant too early, a late frost can wipe out your seedlings. Plant too late, and the summer heat will scorch tender plants before they can establish. This guide will walk you through the ideal planting times for vegetables, flowers, and herbs across the state’s varied zones.
When to Plant in New Mexico – Ideal planting times for
New Mexico’s gardening calendar is primarily split into two distinct growing seasons: the cool spring season and the warm summer season. A third, fall season, is excellent for another round of cool-weather crops. Your specific schedule depends heavily on your location’s average last frost date in spring and first frost date in fall.
Understanding Your New Mexico Growing Zone
First, find your USDA Hardiness Zone. This number tells you the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature. It’s crucial for choosing perennial plants that will survive our winters.
- Zones 4-5: Northern mountains (e.g., Taos, Red River). Very short growing season, cool summers.
- Zones 6-7: High desert and plateau regions (e.g., Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Los Alamos). Most common zones with a good mix of seasons.
- Zones 8-9: Southern low desert (e.g., Las Cruces, Deming). Long, hot growing seasons, mild winters.
Your frost dates are more important for annual vegetables than the zone number. Local nurseries are the best source for this info, but online calculators can give a good estimate.
Spring Planting Schedule for Cool-Season Crops
These crops thrive in cooler temperatures and can tolerate light frost. They are planted in early spring for a late spring harvest, and again in late summer for a fall harvest.
- As soon as soil is workable (6-8 weeks before last frost): Plant seeds of peas, spinach, kale, and radishes directly in the garden. You can also plant potato “seed” pieces.
- 4-6 weeks before last frost: Direct seed carrots, beets, chard, lettuce, and turnips. Transplant started seedlings of broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower.
- 2-4 weeks before last frost: Transplant lettuce and onion seedlings. Direct seed more rounds of quick crops like radishes and lettuce for sucesive harvest.
Watch Out for Spring Winds
New Mexico’s famous spring winds can dry out soil and break young seedlings. Use windbreaks like cloth, fencing, or even old lattice to protect new transplants until they get established. Watering may need to be more frequent during windy periods.
Summer Planting Schedule for Warm-Season Crops
These are your heat-lovers. They will not tolerate frost and need warm soil to grow well. Planting to early can stunt them.
- After all danger of frost is past (1-2 weeks after last frost): This is your main planting window. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and tomatillos. Direct seed beans, corn, and squash.
- When soil is truly warm (70°F+): Plant heat-loving seeds like cucumbers, melons, pumpkins, and okra. Using a soil thermometer helps here.
In southern New Mexico (Zones 8-9), you can start these crops even earlier, often in mid to late April.
The Monsoon Advantage
Our late-summer monsoon rains provide a perfect opportunity for a second planting. The increased humidity and moisture help seeds germinate and give plants a boost.
Fall Planting for an Extended Harvest
Fall is often the most productive and pleasant gardening season in New Mexico. You can grow many of the same cool-season crops you did in spring.
- Calculate your first average fall frost date.
- Count backwards from that date using the “days to maturity” on your seed packet.
- Add an extra 1-2 weeks as a “fall factor” because plants grow slower in cooler, shorter days.
For example, if a lettuce takes 50 days to mature and your frost date is October 20th, plant seeds around August 1st. This schedule allows for a bountiful harvest before hard freezes.
Ideal Planting Times for Flowers
Flowers follow similar rules. Plant hardy annuals (pansies, snapdragons) and perennials in early spring. Wait until after the last frost for tender annuals like zinnias, marigolds, and sunflowers. Many wildflowers are best sown in the fall so they can stratify over winter and germinate with spring rains.
Tips for Gardening Success in New Mexico
Our climate presents specific challanges. Here’s how to meet them:
- Soil is Everything: Our native soil is often sandy or heavy clay. Amend generously with compost every year to improve texture and water retention.
- Water Wisely: Drip irrigation is essential. It delivers water directly to roots, minimizes evaporation, and keeps foliage dry to prevent disease. Water deeply and less frequently to encourage deep roots.
- Sun Protection: The intense sun can sunscald fruits and stress plants. Use shade cloth during the peak afternoon heat in July and August, especially for crops like peppers and tomatoes.
- Mulch Heavily: Apply 3-4 inches of organic mulch (straw, wood chips) around plants. This keeps soil cool, conserves massive amounts of water, and suppresses weeds.
Common Planting Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced gardeners can make these errors in our unique environment.
- Planting warm-season crops before the soil is warm enough. They will just sit there and not grow.
- Overcrowding plants. Good air circulation is vital in our humidity, when it arrives, to prevent fungal issues.
- Not hardening off seedlings. Acclimate indoor-started plants to outdoor sun and wind over 7-10 days before transplanting.
- Forgetting to succession plant. Stagger plantings of crops like beans and lettuce every two weeks for a continuous harvest, not one giant glut.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When is the best time to plant trees and shrubs in New Mexico?
Fall is ideal. The warm soil encourages root growth without the stress of summer heat, and winter rains (or snowmelt) help with establishment. Early spring is the second-best option.
Can I grow a winter garden in New Mexico?
Yes! In many areas, especially with season extension tools. Hardy crops like kale, spinach, and some lettuces can survive under a simple cold frame or row cover well into winter. In southern zones, they may grow all season with minimal protection.
What vegetables grow best in New Mexico’s heat?
Chile peppers are the classic! Also tomatoes, eggplant, okra, Armenian cucumbers, black-eyed peas, and certain varieties of melons and squash that are bred for arid climates.
How do I adjust planting times for higher elevation?
For every 1,000 feet in elevation gain, the growing season shortens by about 3-4 days. Focus on quick-maturing varieties and use season extenders like Wall O’ Waters for tomatoes and peppers. Your local county extension office has precise timing for your town.
Gardening in New Mexico is a rewarding adventure that connects you deeply to the rhythms of our land. By paying close attention to the calender and working with, not against, our climate, you can cultivate a thriving and productive garden from spring straight through to fall. Start with your frost dates, choose your plants wisely, and don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty. The results are worth the effort.