When should I plant peppers in ZIP 87102?

In ZIP 87102, the main peppers target is around Apr 29, based on the representative Albuquerque frost station and USDA zone 7b.

When should I start peppers seeds indoors in 87102?

Start peppers seeds indoors in ZIP 87102 around Feb 18, about 56 days before the Apr 15 last-frost estimate.

Is this a guaranteed planting date?

No. GrowZone uses frost-date estimates, hardiness zones, and crop timing rules for planning. Local microclimates and current weather can shift the right date.

ZIP 87102 planting calendar

When to plant peppers in Albuquerque, NM - Zone 7b

Q: When is the first frost in Albuquerque?

Albuquerque (ZIP 87102) has an average first fall frost around Oct 20, leaving about 188 frost-free days.

In ZIP 87102, plant peppers around Apr 29; this uses the Albuquerque frost station, USDA zone 7b, and peppers timing rules.

Your Albuquerque calendar has a 188-day estimated frost-free season. This estimate uses the representative Albuquerque frost station, USDA zone 7b, and peppers timing rules.

Source: albuquerque-sunport frost station, USDA zone 7b, last updated 2026-06-28. Verify locally before planting high-value crops because microclimates, current weather, and yard exposure can move the safe date.

USDA zone 7b Albuquerque frost station New Mexico State University Extension Updated 2026-06-28

Read the method

Answer first

When to start peppers seeds indoors in Albuquerque

In ZIP 87102, start peppers seeds indoors around Feb 18, about 56 days before the Apr 15 last-frost estimate.

Start peppers seeds indoors in Albuquerque around Feb 18, about 56 days before the Apr 15 last-frost estimate.

Seed starting schedule

Peppers dates for Albuquerque, NM

Step	Date	How to use it
Start Indoors	February 18, 2026	Start seeds under lights or in a bright indoor seed-starting space.
Transplant Outdoors	April 29, 2026	Move hardened-off seedlings outside after the frost-risk window.

Last frost

When is the last frost in Albuquerque?

Albuquerque (ZIP 87102) has an average last spring frost around Apr 15.

First frost

When is the first frost in Albuquerque?

The average first fall frost is around Oct 20, giving about 188 frost-free days.

Season map

Peppers windows by month

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Start indoors

Feb 18

Transplant

Apr 29

Harvest

Jul 23

Frost watch

Jul 27

Reminder workflow

Every date has a next action

Start peppers indoorsFeb 18

Last frost windowApr 15

Transplant peppersApr 29

First peppers harvest windowJul 23

Last peppers sowing targetJul 27

Signal	Value	Why it matters
Last frost estimate	April 15, 2026	Warm-season transplant risk starts falling after this window.
First frost estimate	October 20, 2026	Fall planting counts backward from this date.
Season length	188 days	Longer seasons can support succession crops.
Spacing	18 in	Airflow and root space affect yield.
Soil temperature	65 F+	Seeds and transplants stall in cold soil.

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Local data

Why this date changes by ZIP

Albuquerque frost history and USDA zone 7b shift the safe planting window. GrowZone uses a local representative station instead of one national rule.

New Mexico State University Extension is the kind of local source to verify against when a crop is expensive, weather is unusual, or your yard has a cold pocket.

Crop note

Peppers timing notes

Peppers stall in cold soil, so wait for warm nights. Peppers prefers full sun, 18 in spacing, and soil near 65 F+.

For fall, count backward from Oct 20. A conservative last sowing target is around Jul 27.