When is the last frost in Santa Fe, NM?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Santa Fe is around May 2, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Santa Fe Seton, NM station (8.7 mi away). Half of years it falls outside that date, so wait 1–2 weeks past it before setting out frost-tender plants.

When is the first fall frost in Santa Fe?

The average first fall frost in Santa Fe, NM is around October 17, giving roughly a 167-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Santa Fe, NM?

Santa Fe is in USDA plant hardiness zone 6b (average annual extreme minimum temperature -5 to 0°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Santa Fe?

In Santa Fe, NM the warmest month is July (avg high 85.5°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 20.5°F). It averages about 14.7″ of precipitation a year and 28.1″ of snow.

Home › New Mexico › Santa Fe

Santa Fe, NM Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 6b · ZIP 87501 · elevation 2134′ · NOAA & USDA data

Santa Fe is in USDA hardiness zone 6b (winters can dip to -5 to 0°F), with a growing season of about 167 days between the average last spring frost (May 2) and first fall frost (October 17). The warmest month is July (avg high 85.5°F); the coldest is January (avg low 20.5°F). It averages 14.7″ of precipitation a year and 28.1″ of snow, mostly mid-winter. Start cool-season crops several weeks before the last frost; wait until after it for tomatoes, peppers and other tender crops.

Hardiness zone

min temp -5 to 0°F

Last spring frost

May 2

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

October 17

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

167 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 85.5°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Santa Fe

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Santa Fe Seton, NM (8.7 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	42.6	20.5	31.6	0.8	5
February	47.1	23.3	35.2	0.7	5.5
March	55.6	28.9	42.3	0.9	4.2
April	63.3	34.4	48.9	0.8	1.1
May	72.8	43.6	58.2	0.9	0
June	83.7	53.5	68.6	0.9	0
July	85.5	57.4	71.4	2.5	0
August	83.3	55.8	69.5	2.2	0
September	77.1	49.7	63.4	1.6	0
October	65.5	38.6	52.1	1.6	0.5
November	52.4	27.9	40.2	1	3.2
December	42.4	20.9	31.6	1	8.6

What to plant when in Santa Fe

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: March 21 · Transplant out: May 9
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: March 7 · Transplant out: May 16
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: May 9
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: May 9
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: May 9
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: May 9
Basil	warm	Transplant out: May 9
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): March 28 · Sow (fall): August 22
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): March 21 · Sow (fall): August 22
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): April 4 · Sow (fall): August 22
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): April 11 · Sow (fall): August 8
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): April 18
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): April 11 · Sow (fall): August 8
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): April 4
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: April 18
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): April 4 · Sow (fall): September 5

Dates are computed from Santa Fe's average frost dates using standard cool-/warm-season timing. They're a starting point — a cold spring, a warm microclimate, or a fast-maturing variety can shift them by a week or two.

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Gear that helps you plant on time

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links (tag theboringthin-20). If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps this almanac free. We only list generic, genuinely-useful categories.

Soil thermometer →Know when the ground is warm enough to sow — the honest signal, not the calendar.Seed-starting trays + dome →Start tomatoes & peppers indoors on the schedule below.Seedling heat mat →Warms the soil for faster, more even germination indoors.Floating row cover / frost cloth →Buys you 4–8°F to beat an early or late frost.Raised garden bed kit →Warms and drains faster in spring than in-ground soil.Garden gloves →Basic kit for transplant day.

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Sources & method. Hardiness zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). Frost dates & growing season: NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest station with published freeze normals — Santa Fe Seton, NM, 8.7 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Santa Fe Seton, NM, 8.7 mi (confidence: high). ZIP centroid from U.S. Census 2023 ZCTA data. Frost dates are the 50%-probability date — half of years frost occurs outside the stated date. Nothing here is invented; where the nearest station is far, we say so. Last updated 2026-07-22.