What to plant in October in New Mexico
In New Mexico (NM), October sits about 1 week before the average first fall frost (October 20). The state averages 183 frost-free days a year (last frost April 20, first frost October 20; USDA zones 4b, 5b, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 9a).
2 crops have a sowing or planting window this month: shallot, garlic.
Dates here come from New Mexico frost dates (last frost Apr 20, first frost Oct 20). For one crop in detail, see when to plant garlic, tomato or lettuce in New Mexico.
New Mexico covers a very wide range of climates, so dates near you can be two weeks or more either side of these. Enter your ZIP code in the planting calendar for dates tuned to your town.
New Mexico: planting activity through the year
For fall and winter harvests (2)
Sowings counted back from New Mexico's first fall frost, so the crop matures before the cold - or, for garlic and similar, planted after it.
Harvesting in October
First harvests expected this month from crops sown or planted on time earlier in the season.
Planting dates for popular crops in New Mexico
Every crop has its own full-year dates for New Mexico: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Spring bulbs to plant in October in New Mexico
Tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and crocus are planted in fall, once the soil has cooled and before it freezes. The exact window depends on the state, so our bulb guide quotes what each extension service says.
Fall garden season: October garden jobs in New Mexico
- The average first frost is October 20, about 1 weeks away. Pick tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash, beans) before it, or cover them on cold nights.
- Still time to sow or plant: shallot, garlic. Fast greens and radishes are the safest bets this late.
- Row cover buys 4-6°F of frost protection and weeks of extra harvest - see season extension.
- Pull finished crops and sow a cover crop (cereal rye or crimson clover) into empty beds before the soil gets cold.
USDA zone chart for New Mexico
New Mexico spans USDA zones 4b, 5b, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 9a. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average.
Questions gardeners ask
What vegetables can I plant in New Mexico in October?
2 crops have a window in October: shallot, garlic. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant garlic in New Mexico in October?
No - plant in fall (after first frost) runs Oct 31 – Nov 17 in New Mexico.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in New Mexico in October?
For this year, yes - the tomato windows in New Mexico have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about February 23.
When is the first frost in New Mexico?
The statewide average first fall frost is around October 20 and the last spring frost around April 20. New Mexico covers a wide range of climates, so local dates can differ by two weeks or more - look yours up by ZIP code.
What can I harvest in New Mexico in October?
From plantings made on time: luffa (loofah gourd), zucchini / summer squash, chayote, cucumber, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, bush bean, kale, lettuce.
What to plant in October in other states
Dates are computed from New Mexico’s statewide average frost dates (from NOAA/NCEI climate normals) and each crop’s timing in our crop database. Your garden may be a week or two either side - for dates tuned to your ZIP code, use the planting calendar.