For daily wit & wisdom, sign up for the Almanac Daily newsletter.

Planting Calendar for Carlsbad, NM

Enter your zip code or postal code above.

The planting calendar below tells you when to plant in the SPRING and also plant in the FALL, based on your zip code or postal code.

Spring Planting Calendar

Our spring planting calendar starts with the very first dates that you can plant (based on the last spring frost). But if you've missed these dates, no worries! This is why we've added "last planting dates" to our spring calendar; this is meant to help new gardeners understand that if they missed the first spring planting window, they could still get crops in the ground.

In fact, many crops with short maturity times (such as radishes) can be succession planted all the way through the summer in northern areas. However, note that some cool-season crops, such as kale and lettuce, do not grow well in hot temperatures, which can cause bolting issues.  For some gardeners, especially in the South, a break to avoid summer heat is needed, but they can start once the heat has passed. 

The dates provided are based on the number of weeks before or after frost, so we can provide a unique calendar to every user in the country. Thus, several crops (especially similar crops) may appear to have the same date. Kale and lettuce, for example, or dates for starting seeds, like broccoli and cabbage. 

Fall Planting Calendar

When we say "fall," we really mean planting in summer in time for a fall harvest. Think of this as a second summer! It's easy to keep the crops going if you've already prepared the soil! 

Many crops that would be started indoors for a spring crop can just be plunked into the soil directly for a fall crop. Not only is the soil already warm but also there are less pests and it tends to be rainier so you don't need to water as often. Some fall vegetables need to be harvested by the first frost, but many are frost-tolerant and even taste better after a kiss of fall frost!

See each plant's individual Growing Guide for more specific planting, plant care, and harvesting information.

Specifically, on the charts, there are different columns labeled as follows:

  1. Start Seeds Indoors: When to sow seeds indoors to get an early start on the season.
  2. Plant Seedlings Outdoors: When to put small seedlings that you grew indoors (OR starter plants that you bought at a garden nursery) in the outdoor soil.
  3. Start Seeds Outdoors: When to plant seeds directly into the outdoor soil.
  4. Last Date to Plant: You may plant any time from the "start seeds" dates until this "last date." Don't wait any longer, or the crop won't have time to get to harvest before fall/winter frosts.

The "Moon Dates" indicate the best planting dates based on Moon phases. You can learn more about this age-old technique below.

When N/A appears in the chart, that starting method is typically not recommended, although it is likely still possible. 

Use the icon below for the best print or email format.

Print Friendly and PDF

Planting Dates for Fall

On average, your first fall frost occurs on November 6 (at CARLSBAD, NM climate station).
CropFrost Based on Frost Dates
Moon Based on Moon Dates
Start Seeds OutdoorsTransplantAverage Days to MaturityFrost Tolerance
ArugulaFrost Sep 18-Oct 23
Moon Oct 2-17
N/A40Frost-hardy
BeetsFrost Aug 14-Sep 11
Moon Aug 20-Sep 1
N/A50Frost-tolerant
Bok ChoyFrost Aug 28-Sep 18
Moon Sep 2-17
N/A50Frost-tolerant
BroccoliFrost Aug 7-14
Moon Aug 7-14
Frost Aug 28-Sep 11
Moon Sep 2-11
60Frost-tolerant
Brussels SproutsFrost Jul 17-31
Moon Jul 17-21
N/A100Frost-hardy
CabbageFrost Aug 7-14
Moon Aug 7-14
Frost Aug 28-Sep 4
Moon Sep 2-4
90Frost-tolerant
CarrotsFrost Aug 21-28
Moon Aug 21-28
N/A70Frost-tolerant
CauliflowerFrost Jul 31-Aug 7
Moon Aug 4-7
Frost Aug 14-21
Moon Aug 14-19
75Frost-tolerant
ChivesFrost Aug 14-Sep 11
Moon Aug 14-19, Sep 2-11
N/A70Frost-tolerant
FennelFrost Aug 7-21
Moon Aug 7-19
N/A80Tender
GarlicFrost Nov 20-Dec 4
Moon Nov 20-30
N/A120Frost-hardy
Green BeansFrost Aug 21-Sep 4
Moon Sep 2-4
N/A55Tender
KaleFrost Aug 28-Sep 11
Moon Sep 2-11
N/A60Frost-hardy
KohlrabiFrost Sep 4-25
Moon Sep 4-17
N/A45Frost-tolerant
LettuceFrost Aug 28-Sep 11
Moon Sep 2-11
N/A60Frost-tolerant
Mustard GreensFrost Sep 4-25
Moon Sep 4-17
N/A45Tender
PeasFrost Aug 28-Sep 11
Moon Sep 2-11
N/A55Tender
RadishesFrost Sep 25-Oct 9
Moon Sep 25-Oct 1
N/A25Frost-tolerant
SpinachFrost Sep 18-Oct 9
Moon Oct 2-9
N/A30Frost-hardy
Swiss ChardFrost Aug 28-Sep 11
Moon Sep 2-11
N/A60Frost-tolerant
TurnipsFrost Sep 4-18
Moon Sep 18
N/A50Frost-tolerant

Planting Dates for Spring

On average, your last spring frost occurs on March 27 (at CARLSBAD, NM climate station, elevation 3120 feet).
CropFrost Based on Frost Dates
Moon Based on Moon Dates
Start Seeds IndoorsPlant Seedlings
or Transplants
Start Seeds OutdoorsLast Date to Plant
ArugulaFrost Jan 30-Feb 13
Moon Feb 9-13
Frost Mar 5-20
Frost Feb 27-Mar 5
Oct 9
AsparagusN/AN/AFrost Mar 13-27
Moon Mar 26-27
Mar 27
BasilFrost Feb 13-27
Moon Feb 13-24
Frost Apr 10-24
Moon Apr 10-23
Frost Apr 10-24
Moon Apr 10-23
Sep 25
BeetsN/AFrost Mar 13-27
Moon Mar 26-27
Frost Feb 27-Mar 5
Moon Feb 27-Mar 5
Apr 10
Bell PeppersFrost Jan 16-30
Moon Jan 16-25
Frost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 10-17
N/AAug 14
Bok ChoyFrost Feb 13-27
Moon Feb 13-24
Frost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 10-17
Frost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 10-17
May 8
BroccoliFrost Jan 30-Feb 13
Moon Feb 9-13
Frost Mar 13-27
Moon Mar 13-25
Frost Feb 27-Mar 5
Sep 4
Brussels SproutsFrost Feb 13-27
Moon Feb 13-24
Frost Mar 13-27
Moon Mar 13-25
Frost Feb 27-Mar 5
Jul 31
CabbageFrost Jan 30-Feb 13
Moon Feb 9-13
Frost Mar 13-27
Moon Mar 13-25
Frost Feb 27-Mar 5
Apr 3
CantaloupesFrost Mar 5-20
Frost Mar 27-Apr 10
Moon Apr 8-10
Frost Apr 3-10
Moon Apr 8-10
Jul 31
CarrotsN/AN/AFrost Feb 27-Mar 13
Moon Feb 27-Mar 13
Aug 28
CauliflowerFrost Feb 13-27
Moon Feb 13-24
Frost Mar 20-Apr 3
Moon Mar 20-25
N/AAug 21
CeleryFrost Jan 2-16
Moon Jan 11-16
Frost Apr 3-17
Moon Apr 8-17
Frost Mar 27
Aug 28
ChivesFrost Jan 30-Feb 13
Moon Feb 9-13
Frost Mar 5-13
Frost Mar 5-13
Sep 11
Cilantro (Coriander)N/AN/AFrost Mar 27-Apr 10
Moon Apr 8-10
Apr 17
CollardsFrost Feb 13-27
Moon Feb 13-24
Frost Mar 13-27
Moon Mar 13-25
Frost Mar 5-13
Aug 28
CucumbersFrost Mar 5-13
Frost Apr 3-17
Moon Apr 8-17
Frost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 10-17
Aug 28
DillN/AN/AFrost Mar 20-Apr 10
Moon Mar 20-25, Apr 8-10
Sep 11
Dry BeansN/AN/AFrost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 10-17
Jul 31
EggplantsFrost Jan 30-Feb 13
Moon Feb 9-13
Frost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 10-17
N/AAug 28
Fava BeansN/AN/AFrost Feb 27-Mar 5
Apr 10
FennelFrost Feb 13-27
Moon Feb 13-24
Frost Apr 3-10
Moon Apr 8-10
Frost Mar 27-Apr 10
Moon Apr 8-10
Aug 21
GarlicN/AN/AN/A
Green BeansN/AN/AFrost Apr 3-24
Moon Apr 8-23
Aug 28
Honeydew MelonsFrost Mar 5-13
Frost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 10-17
Frost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 10-17
Aug 7
Jalapeño PeppersFrost Jan 16-30
Moon Jan 16-25
Frost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 10-17
N/A
KaleFrost Jan 30-Feb 13
Moon Feb 9-13
Frost Mar 13-27
Moon Mar 13-25
Frost Feb 27-Mar 5
Apr 10
KohlrabiFrost Feb 13-27
Moon Feb 13-24
Frost Mar 5-13
Frost Feb 27-Mar 5
Apr 10
LeeksFrost Jan 16-30
Moon Jan 16-25
Frost Mar 5-20
N/AJul 24
LettuceFrost Feb 13-27
Moon Feb 13-24
Frost Mar 5-13
Frost Feb 27-Mar 5
Apr 10
MicrogreensN/AN/AN/A
Mustard GreensN/AN/AN/A
OkraFrost Feb 27-Mar 13
Frost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 10-17
Frost Apr 10-24
Moon Apr 10-23
Aug 28
OnionsN/AFrost Feb 27-Mar 13
Moon Feb 27-Mar 13
N/AJul 31
OreganoFrost Jan 16-Feb 13
Moon Jan 16-25, Feb 9-13
Frost Apr 3-17
Moon Apr 8-17
N/AAug 28
ParsleyFrost Jan 16-30
Moon Jan 16-25
Frost Apr 3-17
Moon Apr 8-17
Frost Feb 27-Apr 3
Moon Mar 14-25
Aug 21
ParsnipsN/AN/AFrost Feb 27-Mar 5
Moon Feb 27-Mar 5
Jul 31
PeanutsN/AN/AFrost Apr 17-May 1
Moon Apr 24-May 1
PeasN/AN/AFrost Feb 27-Mar 5
Apr 10
PotatoesN/AN/AFrost Feb 27-Mar 13
Moon Feb 27-Mar 13
Aug 28
PumpkinsFrost Mar 5-20
Frost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 10-17
Frost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 10-17
Jul 24
RadishesN/AN/AFrost Feb 27-Mar 5
Moon Feb 27-Mar 5
Sep 11
RosemaryFrost Jan 2-16
Moon Jan 11-16
Frost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 10-17
N/ASep 11
SageFrost Jan 30-Feb 13
Moon Feb 9-13
Frost Apr 3-17
Moon Apr 8-17
N/AAug 21
SalsifyN/AN/AFrost Feb 27-Mar 13
Moon Feb 27-Mar 13
Jul 31
SpinachFrost Feb 13-27
Moon Feb 13-24
Frost Mar 5-13
Frost Feb 27-Mar 5
Apr 10
Sweet CornN/AN/AFrost Apr 10-24
Moon Apr 10-23
Aug 21
Sweet PotatoesN/AN/AFrost Apr 10-24
Moon Apr 24
Jul 24
Swiss ChardFrost Feb 13-27
Moon Feb 13-24
Frost Mar 13-27
Moon Mar 13-25
Frost Mar 5-27
Moon Mar 21-25
Apr 10
ThymeFrost Jan 16-30
Moon Jan 16-25
Frost Apr 3-10
Moon Apr 8-10
N/AAug 14
TomatillosFrost Feb 13-27
Moon Feb 13-24
Frost Apr 10-24
Moon Apr 10-23
N/AAug 21
TomatoesFrost Jan 30-Feb 13
Moon Feb 9-13
Frost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 10-17
N/AAug 7
TurnipsN/AN/AFrost Feb 27-Mar 5
Moon Feb 27-Mar 5
Oct 9
WatermelonsFrost Mar 5-20
Frost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 10-17
Frost Apr 3-10
Moon Apr 8-10
Aug 7
Winter SquashFrost Mar 5-13
Frost Apr 3-17
Moon Apr 8-17
Frost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 10-17
Jul 17
Zucchini (Summer Squash)Frost Mar 5-13
Frost Apr 3-17
Moon Apr 8-17
Frost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 10-17
Sep 4
The Old Farmer's Store