When should I plant spinach in ZIP 87102?

In ZIP 87102, the main spinach target is around Mar 18, based on the representative Albuquerque frost station and USDA zone 7b.

When should I start spinach seeds indoors in 87102?

Spinach is usually direct-sown for ZIP 87102. Use the Mar 18 planting window instead of starting it indoors.

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 spinach 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 spinach around Mar 18; this uses the Albuquerque frost station, USDA zone 7b, and spinach 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 spinach 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.

Reviewed by GrowZone Editorial. Calculated from the albuquerque-sunport frost station and USDA zone 7b, last updated 2026-06-28.

In the Albuquerque area, spinach timing follows the Albuquerque frost window, so the local ZIP date can differ from a broad zone-only calendar.

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

Read the method

Answer first

When to start spinach seeds indoors in Albuquerque

In ZIP 87102, spinach is usually direct-sown around Mar 18 instead of started indoors.

Spinach is normally direct-sown in Albuquerque. Use around Mar 18 as the outdoor planting window for ZIP 87102.

Seed starting schedule

Spinach dates for Albuquerque, NM

Step	Date	How to use it
Direct Sow	March 18, 2026	Sow seed outside when the crop and soil can handle the 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

Spinach windows by month

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Direct sow

Mar 18

Harvest

May 2

Frost watch

Sep 5

Reminder workflow

Every date has a next action

Direct sow spinachMar 18

Last frost windowApr 15

First spinach harvest windowMay 2

Last spinach sowing targetSep 5

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	4-6 in	Airflow and root space affect yield.
Soil temperature	40 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

Spinach timing notes

Plant early and again in late summer for fall leaves. Spinach prefers sun to part shade, 4-6 in spacing, and soil near 40 F+.

For fall, count backward from Oct 20. A conservative last sowing target is around Sep 5.