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Planting Calendar for Rio Rancho, Sandoval County, NM | Almanac.com
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Planting Calendar for Rio Rancho, NM

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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-seasons 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. 

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Planting Dates for Spring

On average, your last spring frost occurs on April 15 (at RIO RANCHO #2, NM climate station, elevation 5288 feet).
CropFrost Based on Frost Dates
Moon Based on Moon Dates
Start Seeds IndoorsPlant Seedlings
or Transplants
Start Seeds OutdoorsLast Date to Plant
ArugulaFrost Feb 18-Mar 3
Moon Feb 18-24
Frost Mar 25-Apr 8
Moon Mar 25
Frost Mar 18-25
Moon Mar 18-25
Sep 30
AsparagusN/AN/AFrost Apr 1-15
Moon Apr 1-7
Apr 15
BasilFrost Mar 3-18
Frost Apr 29-May 13
Moon May 7-13
Frost Apr 29-May 13
Moon May 7-13
Sep 16
BeetsN/AFrost Apr 1-15
Moon Apr 1-7
Frost Mar 18-25
Apr 29
Bell PeppersFrost Feb 4-18
Moon Feb 9-18
Frost Apr 29-May 6
N/AAug 5
Bok ChoyFrost Mar 3-18
Frost Apr 29-May 6
Frost Apr 29-May 6
May 27
BroccoliFrost Feb 18-Mar 3
Moon Feb 18-24
Frost Apr 1-15
Moon Apr 8-15
Frost Mar 18-25
Moon Mar 18-25
Aug 26
Brussels SproutsFrost Mar 3-18
Frost Apr 1-15
Moon Apr 8-15
Frost Mar 18-25
Moon Mar 18-25
Jul 22
CabbageFrost Feb 18-Mar 3
Moon Feb 18-24
Frost Apr 1-15
Moon Apr 8-15
Frost Mar 18-25
Moon Mar 18-25
Jul 15
CantaloupesFrost Mar 25-Apr 8
Moon Mar 25
Frost Apr 15-29
Moon Apr 15-23
Frost Apr 22-29
Moon Apr 22-23
Jul 22
CarrotsN/AN/AFrost Mar 18-Apr 1
Moon Mar 26-Apr 1
Aug 19
CauliflowerFrost Mar 3-18
Frost Apr 8-22
Moon Apr 8-22
N/AAug 19
CeleryFrost Jan 21-Feb 4
Moon Jan 21-25
Frost Apr 22-May 6
Moon Apr 22-23
Frost Apr 15
Moon Apr 15
Aug 19
ChivesFrost Feb 18-Mar 3
Moon Feb 18-24
Frost Mar 25-Apr 1
Moon Mar 25
Frost Mar 25-Apr 1
Moon Mar 25
Sep 2
Cilantro (Coriander)N/AN/AFrost Apr 15-29
Moon Apr 15-23
May 6
CollardsFrost Mar 3-18
Frost Apr 1-15
Moon Apr 8-15
Frost Mar 25-Apr 1
Moon Mar 25
Aug 19
CucumbersFrost Mar 25-Apr 1
Moon Mar 25
Frost Apr 22-May 6
Moon Apr 22-23
Frost Apr 29-May 6
Aug 19
DillN/AN/AFrost Apr 8-29
Moon Apr 8-23
Sep 2
Dry BeansN/AN/AFrost Apr 29-May 6
Jul 22
EggplantsFrost Feb 18-Mar 3
Moon Feb 18-24
Frost Apr 29-May 6
N/AAug 19
Fava BeansN/AN/AFrost Mar 18-25
Moon Mar 18-25
Apr 29
FennelFrost Mar 3-18
Frost Apr 22-29
Moon Apr 22-23
Frost Apr 15-29
Moon Apr 15-23
Aug 12
GarlicN/AN/AN/A
Green BeansN/AN/AFrost Apr 22-May 13
Moon Apr 22-23, May 7-13
Aug 19
Honeydew MelonsFrost Mar 25-Apr 1
Moon Mar 25
Frost Apr 29-May 6
Frost Apr 29-May 6
Jul 29
Jalapeño PeppersFrost Feb 4-18
Moon Feb 9-18
Frost Apr 29-May 6
N/A
KaleFrost Feb 18-Mar 3
Moon Feb 18-24
Frost Apr 1-15
Moon Apr 8-15
Frost Mar 18-25
Moon Mar 18-25
Apr 29
KohlrabiFrost Mar 3-18
Frost Mar 25-Apr 1
Moon Mar 25
Frost Mar 18-25
Moon Mar 18-25
Apr 29
LeeksFrost Feb 4-18
Moon Feb 9-18
Frost Mar 25-Apr 8
Moon Mar 25
N/AJul 15
LettuceFrost Mar 3-18
Frost Mar 25-Apr 1
Moon Mar 25
Frost Mar 18-25
Moon Mar 18-25
Apr 29
Mustard GreensN/AN/AN/A
OkraFrost Mar 18-Apr 1
Moon Mar 18-25
Frost Apr 29-May 6
Frost Apr 29-May 13
Moon May 7-13
Aug 19
OnionsN/AFrost Mar 18-Apr 1
Moon Mar 26-Apr 1
N/AJul 22
OreganoFrost Feb 4-Mar 3
Moon Feb 9-24
Frost Apr 22-May 6
Moon Apr 22-23
N/AAug 19
ParsleyFrost Feb 4-18
Moon Feb 9-18
Frost Apr 22-May 6
Moon Apr 22-23
Frost Mar 18-Apr 22
Moon Mar 18-25, Apr 8-22
Aug 12
ParsnipsN/AN/AFrost Mar 18-25
Jul 22
PeasN/AN/AFrost Mar 18-25
Moon Mar 18-25
Apr 29
PotatoesN/AN/AFrost Mar 18-Apr 1
Moon Mar 26-Apr 1
Aug 19
PumpkinsFrost Mar 25-Apr 8
Moon Mar 25
Frost Apr 29-May 6
Frost Apr 29-May 6
Jul 15
RadishesN/AN/AFrost Mar 18-25
Sep 2
RosemaryFrost Jan 21-Feb 4
Moon Jan 21-25
Frost Apr 29-May 6
N/ASep 2
SageFrost Feb 18-Mar 3
Moon Feb 18-24
Frost Apr 22-May 6
Moon Apr 22-23
N/AAug 12
SalsifyN/AN/AFrost Mar 18-Apr 1
Moon Mar 26-Apr 1
Jul 22
SpinachFrost Mar 3-18
Frost Mar 25-Apr 1
Moon Mar 25
Frost Mar 18-25
Moon Mar 18-25
Apr 29
Sweet CornN/AN/AFrost Apr 29-May 13
Moon May 7-13
Aug 12
Sweet PotatoesN/AN/AFrost Apr 29-May 13
Moon Apr 29-May 6
Jul 15
Swiss ChardFrost Mar 3-18
Frost Apr 1-15
Moon Apr 8-15
Frost Mar 25-Apr 15
Moon Mar 25, Apr 9-15
Apr 29
ThymeFrost Feb 4-18
Moon Feb 9-18
Frost Apr 22-29
Moon Apr 22-23
N/AAug 5
TomatillosFrost Mar 3-18
Frost Apr 29-May 13
Moon May 7-13
N/AAug 12
TomatoesFrost Feb 18-Mar 3
Moon Feb 18-24
Frost Apr 29-May 6
N/AJul 29
TurnipsN/AN/AFrost Mar 18-25
Sep 30
WatermelonsFrost Mar 25-Apr 8
Moon Mar 25
Frost Apr 29-May 6
Frost Apr 22-29
Moon Apr 22-23
Jul 29
Winter SquashFrost Mar 25-Apr 1
Moon Mar 25
Frost Apr 22-May 6
Moon Apr 22-23
Frost Apr 29-May 6
Jul 8
Zucchini (Summer Squash)Frost Mar 25-Apr 1
Moon Mar 25
Frost Apr 22-May 6
Moon Apr 22-23
Frost Apr 29-May 6
Aug 26

Planting Dates for Fall

On average, your first fall frost occurs on October 28 (at RIO RANCHO #2, NM climate station).
CropFrost Based on Frost Dates
Moon Based on Moon Dates
Start Seeds OutdoorsTransplantAverage Days to MaturityFrost Tolerance
ArugulaFrost Sep 9-Oct 14
Moon Sep 9-17, Oct 2-14
N/A40Frost-hardy
BeetsFrost Aug 5-Sep 2
Moon Aug 20-Sep 1
N/A50Frost-tolerant
Bok ChoyFrost Aug 19-Sep 9
Moon Aug 19, Sep 3-9
N/A50Frost-tolerant
BroccoliFrost Jul 29-Aug 5
Moon Aug 4-5
Frost Aug 19-Sep 2
Moon Aug 19
60Frost-tolerant
Brussels SproutsFrost Jul 8-22
Moon Jul 8-21
N/A100Frost-hardy
CabbageFrost Jul 29-Aug 5
Moon Aug 4-5
Frost Aug 19-26
Moon Aug 19
90Frost-tolerant
CarrotsFrost Aug 12-19
N/A70Frost-tolerant
CauliflowerFrost Jul 22-29
Frost Aug 5-12
Moon Aug 5-12
75Frost-tolerant
ChivesFrost Aug 5-Sep 2
Moon Aug 5-19, Sep 2
N/A70Frost-tolerant
FennelFrost Jul 29-Aug 12
Moon Aug 4-12
N/A80Tender
GarlicFrost Nov 10-24
Moon Nov 16-24
N/A120Frost-hardy
Green BeansFrost Aug 12-26
Moon Aug 12-19
N/A55Tender
KaleFrost Aug 19-Sep 2
Moon Aug 19
N/A60Frost-hardy
KohlrabiFrost Aug 26-Sep 16
Moon Sep 2-16
N/A45Frost-tolerant
LettuceFrost Aug 19-Sep 2
Moon Aug 19
N/A60Frost-tolerant
Mustard GreensFrost Aug 26-Sep 16
Moon Sep 2-16
N/A45Tender
PeasFrost Aug 19-Sep 2
Moon Aug 19
N/A55Tender
RadishesFrost Sep 16-30
Moon Sep 18-30
N/A25Frost-tolerant
SpinachFrost Sep 9-30
Moon Sep 9-17
N/A30Frost-hardy
Swiss ChardFrost Aug 19-Sep 2
Moon Aug 19
N/A60Frost-tolerant
TurnipsFrost Aug 26-Sep 9
Moon Aug 26-Sep 1
N/A50Frost-tolerant
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