May 11, 2011
Average last frost in the Albuquerque area is April 20th - May 10th. The last frost date can vary by area. In our valley location in Corrales, we get late frosts. Tender vegetables can be started inside and transplanted outside in early May. If you are a gambler, you can rush the season if you provide some protection. When you can’t resist buying that big green tomato plant, either keep it inside or protect it with “Wall O’Water” or similar products.
We are preparing our farm for planting. Key to that preparation is incorporating compost into the soil. We compost all our vegetable kitchen waste and all our left over vegetable waste from the garden. We also purchase commercial compost that is certified organic. For information on how to do your own compost check the following link:
http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_h/H-110.pdf
You can purchase organic compost in small quantities from your local nursery or garden supply center or if you need bulk certified organic compost, try Soilutions Inc. (Other than being a customer of Soilutions, we have no financial connection)
Have your seedlings emerged and gradually seem to disappear? The culprit could be birds or rabbits, but also check for cutworms. They rest underground during the day and come out at night to devour tender seedlings. How can you tell for sure? Go out into your garden a few hours after dark with a flashlight. They are various shades of brown so you have to look carefully. It only takes a few cutworms to do serious damage to new seedlings. They can be controlled by physically destroying them or spraying with an organically safe spray.
The following links take you to excellent NMSU documents on gardening in New Mexico.
Guide to gardening in New Mexico
http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_circulars/circ457.html
Hoop House - An inexpensive greenhouse
http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_circulars/CR-606.pdf
For more info on other gardening related NMSU publications -