Rio Rancho #1, NM Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Rio Rancho #1 garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Apr 16
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 23
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
190 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 7b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Apr 2 Apr 16 May 2
First fall frost Nov 5 Oct 23 Oct 12
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Mar 30 · first Nov 2

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the RIO RANCHO #1 station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Rio Rancho #1

Computed from Rio Rancho #1's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-7 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Feb 19 – Mar 5 Apr 23 – Apr 30
🫑 Peppers Feb 5 – Feb 19 Apr 30 – May 7
🥬 Lettuce Mar 5 – Mar 19 Mar 19 – Apr 2 Mar 19 – Apr 16
🫛 Peas Mar 5 – Mar 19
🥕 Carrots Mar 26 – Apr 16
🥦 Broccoli Feb 26 – Mar 12 Mar 26 – Apr 9
🥬 Kale Mar 5 – Mar 19 Mar 19 – Apr 2 Mar 19 – Apr 2
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 19 – Mar 26 Apr 23 – Apr 30 Apr 23 – Apr 30
🥒 Zucchini Mar 19 – Mar 26 Apr 23 – Apr 30 Apr 23 – Apr 30
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 23 – Apr 30
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 23 – Apr 30
🌿 Basil Mar 5 – Mar 19 Apr 23 – Apr 30 Apr 30 – May 7
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 11 – Oct 9

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Rio Rancho #1's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Rio Rancho #1

Roughly 190 frost-free days gives Rio Rancho #1 gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after Apr 16; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 23 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Rio Rancho #1, NM?

The average last spring frost in Rio Rancho #1 is around Apr 16, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Rio Rancho #1, NM?

The average first fall frost in Rio Rancho #1 arrives around Oct 23. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Rio Rancho #1?

About 190 frost-free days on average, from Apr 16 to Oct 23. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Rio Rancho #1 in?

USDA zone 7b on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.