Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated

Planting zone for 87004 — Bernalillo, NM

ZIP code 87004 (Bernalillo, Sandoval County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 17 and the first fall frost October 24.

Where ZIP 87004 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone7b5 to 10 °F
Coldest night−15 to −12.2 °C
Last frostApr 17
First frostOct 24
2012 zone7b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Bernalillo, NM…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Bernalillo, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 17median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 3only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 24median — 10% chance by Oct 11
Growing season188 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 2 and returns around November 4.

From the NOAA station Jemez Dam, NM — 3 miles away, elevation 5,387 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in 87004

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 27
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 27 – Apr 10
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 24 – May 8
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 1 – May 15
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 29 – Sep 12
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 10 – Nov 14
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 17) and first fall frost (Oct 24) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 87004 came on Feb 23 — 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 7).

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Soil in Bernalillo, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87004 is Pinavetes — loamy fine sand, excessively drained.

TextureLoamy fine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH8.1alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageExcessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.65%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Pinavetes loamy fine sand, 5 to 15 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 87004; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bernalillo, NM

Summer high93 °Faverage high, July
Winter low22 °Faverage low, January
Hot days71days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights125nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,853base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 33 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 46 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation10.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 47 °F, low 22 °F 47°22° JanFebruary: average high 53 °F, low 25 °F 53°25° FebMarch: average high 61 °F, low 33 °F 61°33° MarApril: average high 70 °F, low 39 °F 70°39° AprMay: average high 79 °F, low 48 °F 79°48° MayJune: average high 90 °F, low 58 °F 90°58° JunJuly: average high 93 °F, low 64 °F 93°64° JulAugust: average high 90 °F, low 62 °F 90°62° AugSeptember: average high 84 °F, low 54 °F 84°54° SepOctober: average high 72 °F, low 41 °F 72°41° OctNovember: average high 58 °F, low 29 °F 58°29° NovDecember: average high 48 °F, low 23 °F 48°23° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″January: 0.48 in precipitation 0.5 JanFebruary: 0.55 in precipitation 0.6 FebMarch: 0.62 in precipitation 0.6 MarApril: 0.60 in precipitation 0.6 AprMay: 0.48 in precipitation 0.5 MayJune: 0.50 in precipitation 0.5 JunJuly: 1.58 in precipitation 1.6 JulAugust: 2.03 in precipitation 2.0 AugSeptember: 1.24 in precipitation 1.2 SepOctober: 1.33 in precipitation 1.3 OctNovember: 0.67 in precipitation 0.7 NovDecember: 0.82 in precipitation 0.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Jemez Dam, NM (3 mi away); precipitation: Rio Rancho 5.6 Ne, NM (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7b.

871447b
Rio Rancho, NM · 7 mi
870487b
Corrales, NM · 9 mi
870437b
Placitas, NM · 11 mi
871137b
Albuquerque, NM · 12 mi
870017b
Algodones, NM · 12 mi
871147b
Albuquerque, NM · 13 mi
871247b
Rio Rancho, NM · 13 mi
871227b
Albuquerque, NM · 14 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87004

What planting zone is ZIP code 87004?

ZIP code 87004 (Bernalillo, NM) is in USDA hardiness zone 7b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 5 to 10 °F (−15 to −12.2 °C).

When is the last frost in Bernalillo, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87004 is April 17; after May 3 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Jemez Dam station.

When is the first frost in Bernalillo, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87004 is October 24, giving a median frost-free growing season of 188 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87004?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 20 – Mar 6 and set transplants outside around Apr 24 – May 8, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87004 get?

About 10.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Rio Rancho 5.6 Ne station).

How hot do summers get in Bernalillo, NM?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in July, with about 71 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87004 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Pinavetes at the center of ZIP 87004: loamy fine sand, excessively drained, pH about 8.1 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Bernalillo, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87004 came on Feb 23 in 2026, 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 7), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Bernalillo, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87004 is 14 h 33 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.