FrostCal

When to Plant Onions in New Mexico

In a typical New Mexico location, start seeds indoors Feb 2 – Feb 16, then transplant outdoors Mar 16 – Mar 30. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Jan 31 in Chaparral and as late as Apr 26 in Las Vegas.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 90–120 days

Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost (or use sets/transplants); set out 2-4 weeks before last frost, very cold-tolerant as seedlings.

Onions Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplant
AlbuquerqueJan 26 – Feb 9Mar 9 – Mar 23
Las CrucesJan 1 – Jan 15Feb 12 – Feb 26
Rio RanchoJan 28 – Feb 11Mar 11 – Mar 25
Enchanted HillsFeb 5 – Feb 19Mar 19 – Apr 2
Santa FeMar 5 – Mar 19Apr 16 – Apr 30
RoswellFeb 2 – Feb 16Mar 16 – Mar 30
FarmingtonFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 4 – Apr 18
South ValleyFeb 7 – Feb 21Mar 21 – Apr 4
ClovisFeb 3 – Feb 17Mar 17 – Mar 31
HobbsJan 17 – Jan 31Feb 28 – Mar 14
AlamogordoDec 29 – Jan 12Feb 9 – Feb 23
CarlsbadJan 6 – Jan 20Feb 17 – Mar 3
GallupMar 2 – Mar 16Apr 13 – Apr 27
Sunland ParkJan 12 – Jan 26Feb 23 – Mar 9
Los LunasFeb 12 – Feb 26Mar 26 – Apr 9
ChaparralDec 20 – Jan 3Jan 31 – Feb 14
DemingJan 27 – Feb 10Mar 10 – Mar 24
Las VegasMar 15 – Mar 29Apr 26 – May 10
ArtesiaJan 31 – Feb 14Mar 14 – Mar 28
Los AlamosFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 4 – Apr 18
PortalesFeb 4 – Feb 18Mar 18 – Apr 1
LovingtonJan 17 – Jan 31Feb 28 – Mar 14
North ValleyFeb 12 – Feb 26Mar 26 – Apr 9
EspanolaMar 2 – Mar 16Apr 13 – Apr 27
Silver CityJan 24 – Feb 7Mar 7 – Mar 21
AnthonyDec 20 – Jan 3Jan 31 – Feb 14
GrantsMar 8 – Mar 22Apr 19 – May 3

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 onions in New Mexico?

In a typical New Mexico location, start seeds indoors Feb 2 – Feb 16, then transplant outdoors Mar 16 – Mar 30. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Jan 31 in Chaparral and as late as Apr 26 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 onions take to grow?

Onions typically take 90–120 days from planting to harvest. Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost (or use sets/transplants); set out 2-4 weeks before last frost, very cold-tolerant as seedlings.

Other Crops in New Mexico

When to plant onions in other states

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