FrostCal

When to Plant Basil in New Mexico

In a typical New Mexico location, start seeds indoors Mar 2 – Mar 9, then transplant outdoors Apr 20 – Apr 27. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 7 in Chaparral and as late as May 31 in Las Vegas.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 50–70 days

Very frost/cold sensitive; start indoors 5-6 weeks before last frost, transplant only after all danger of frost (1-2 weeks after) and nights stay warm.

Basil Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplant
AlbuquerqueFeb 23 – Mar 2Apr 13 – Apr 20
Las CrucesJan 29 – Feb 5Mar 19 – Mar 26
Rio RanchoFeb 25 – Mar 4Apr 15 – Apr 22
Enchanted HillsMar 5 – Mar 12Apr 23 – Apr 30
Santa FeApr 2 – Apr 9May 21 – May 28
RoswellMar 2 – Mar 9Apr 20 – Apr 27
FarmingtonMar 21 – Mar 28May 9 – May 16
South ValleyMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 25 – May 2
ClovisMar 3 – Mar 10Apr 21 – Apr 28
HobbsFeb 14 – Feb 21Apr 4 – Apr 11
AlamogordoJan 26 – Feb 2Mar 16 – Mar 23
CarlsbadFeb 3 – Feb 10Mar 24 – Mar 31
GallupMar 30 – Apr 6May 18 – May 25
Sunland ParkFeb 9 – Feb 16Mar 30 – Apr 6
Los LunasMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 30 – May 7
ChaparralJan 17 – Jan 24Mar 7 – Mar 14
DemingFeb 24 – Mar 3Apr 14 – Apr 21
Las VegasApr 12 – Apr 19May 31 – Jun 7
ArtesiaFeb 28 – Mar 7Apr 18 – Apr 25
Los AlamosMar 21 – Mar 28May 9 – May 16
PortalesMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 22 – Apr 29
LovingtonFeb 14 – Feb 21Apr 4 – Apr 11
North ValleyMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 30 – May 7
EspanolaMar 30 – Apr 6May 18 – May 25
Silver CityFeb 21 – Feb 28Apr 11 – Apr 18
AnthonyJan 17 – Jan 24Mar 7 – Mar 14
GrantsApr 5 – Apr 12May 24 – May 31

Showing the 27 most populous of 27 New Mexico cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all New Mexico cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant basil in New Mexico?

In a typical New Mexico location, start seeds indoors Mar 2 – Mar 9, then transplant outdoors Apr 20 – Apr 27. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 7 in Chaparral and as late as May 31 in Las Vegas.

When is the last frost in New Mexico?

The average last spring frost in New Mexico ranges from February 28 in Chaparral to May 24 in Las Vegas, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do basil take to grow?

Basil typically take 50–70 days from planting to harvest. Very frost/cold sensitive; start indoors 5-6 weeks before last frost, transplant only after all danger of frost (1-2 weeks after) and nights stay warm.

Other Crops in New Mexico

When to plant basil in other states

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