When to plant zucchini / summer squash in New Mexico
New Mexico’s average last spring frost is April 20, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 20 — about 183 frost-free days (USDA zones 4b, 5b, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 9a). Zucchini / Summer Squash needs 45–60 days to mature, which fits comfortably within New Mexico's growing season.
New Mexico covers a wide range of climates, so your exact frost dates may differ from the state average by two weeks or more. For dates tuned to your town, use the calendar generator.
When to plant zucchini / summer squash in New Mexico: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Apr 20 – May 7, with seeds started indoors Mar 23 – Apr 6. Wait until the soil is at least 60°F and frost is over.
Succession sow again in New Mexico: May 25 · Jun 22 · Jul 20 · Aug 17
Windows are ~1–2 week bands around each date. Frost dates are a statewide average from NOAA/NCEI normals; your town may differ by two weeks or more. Calendar year 2026.
How to grow zucchini / summer squash in New Mexico, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Mar 23 – Apr 6). Sow seeds 1 inch deep in seed-starting mix under bright light. They take 5-10 days to sprout, fastest in soil around 85°F. Harden seedlings off for a week before they go outside.
- Prepare the bed. It needs at least six to eight hours of direct sun a day and loose soil at least 14 inches deep, with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5. Dig in compost before planting.
- Plant out (Apr 20 – May 7). Space plants about 30 inches apart in rows 42 inches apart. It is killed by frost, so nothing goes outside until the danger has passed.
- Water and feed. Give it steady, even moisture, about an inch of water a week from rain or the hose.
- Watch for pests and problems. Pests: squash vine borer, squash bug, striped cucumber beetle, aphids. Diseases and disorders: powdery mildew, bacterial wilt, blossom-end rot (calcium disorder).
- Harvest (from about Jun 11 – Jun 26). Zucchini / Summer Squash takes 45-60 days to reach harvest. One or two plants feed a household. A second sowing in early-mid summer dodges the first vine borer generation.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use New Mexico’s average frost dates. More in the full zucchini / summer squash growing guide.
Zucchini planting dates by USDA zone in 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, so the zucchini / summer squash dates shift with them.
| Zone | Last frost | First frost | Season | Start indoors | Plant zucchini / summer squash |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 4 | May 10 | Sep 25 | 135 days | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | May 10 – May 27 |
| Zone 5 | Apr 30 | Oct 5 | 160 days | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Apr 30 – May 17 |
| Zone 6 | Apr 15 | Oct 15 | 185 days | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Apr 15 – May 2 |
| Zone 7 | Apr 5 | Oct 25 | 200 days | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 22 |
| Zone 8 | Mar 20 | Nov 5 | 230 days | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Mar 20 – Apr 6 |
| Zone 9 | Feb 20 | Nov 30 | 280 days | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Feb 20 – Mar 9 |
When to plant zucchini / summer squash in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Plant out |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico (this page) | April 20 | Apr 20 – May 7 |
| Arizona | March 15 | Mar 15 – Apr 1 |
Questions gardeners in New Mexico ask
When is the best time to plant zucchini / summer squash in New Mexico?
Plant zucchini / summer squash transplants outdoors in New Mexico between April 20 and May 7. That timing is set by New Mexico's average last spring frost of April 20; New Mexico spans several climates, so cooler and higher parts of the state run later.
When should I start zucchini / summer squash seeds indoors in New Mexico?
Start seeds indoors between March 23 and April 6, about 3 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from April 20.
Can I plant zucchini / summer squash in the fall in New Mexico?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between July 18 and August 4, so the crop matures in cool weather before New Mexico's first frost around October 20.
When will zucchini / summer squash planted in New Mexico be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, zucchini / summer squash is usually ready from about June 11 to June 26, 45-60 days after planting.
When is the last frost in New Mexico?
On average around April 20, with the first fall frost around October 20 - about 183 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.