When to plant thyme in Albuquerque, New Mexico

April 6 – April 20

Transplant outdoors · typical Albuquerque year

Climate basis: NOAA station Albuquerque INTL AP, NM (USW00023050), 3 mi (5 km) from downtown Albuquerque (ZCTA 87102 centroid), elevation 5310 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Transplant thyme outdoors from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (April 6). One year in ten still freezes after April 23.

Last spring freezeApril 61-in-10 after Apr 23
First fall freezeNovember 31-in-10 before Oct 21
Frost-free season208 daysmedian at 32°F
Hard freeze, 28°Mar 17Nov 15kills even hardy greens
USDA zone7b5 to 10°F winter low not frost timing

The Albuquerque year

Transplant outdoorsApr 6 – Apr 20
  • indoors under lights
  • in the garden
  • frost-free season
  • 1-in-10 years still freeze to Apr 23
Thyme in Albuquerque · freeze context from Albuquerque INTL AP, NM, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Transplant outdoors

Apr 6 – Apr 20

Oklahoma State Table 1: plant thyme after the last spring frost (seed or cuttings; most gardeners set out plants). Point rule given a 14-day span. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Apr 6). Oklahoma State University Extension

Start seeds indoors

Not calculated

The cited guide gives no indoor seed-starting lead time for thyme, so no window is calculated.

Direct-sow outdoors

Not calculated

The cited extension guides do not time direct sowing for this crop.

Fall planting

Not calculated

No source-backed fall planting rule exists for this crop in the registry, so no fall window is calculated.

Variety assumption: A hardy perennial once established; harvest lightly the first season.

These windows describe typical years (1991–2020 climate normals), not this year's forecast. Freezes happen outside them — especially in frost pockets, valleys, and urban edges. Watch the forecast before committing tender plants.

This week, not a typical year:
Crop rule sources (1)

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