Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 87008 — Cedar Crest, NM

ZIP code 87008 (Cedar Crest, Bernalillo County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost October 9.

Where ZIP 87008 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.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F

Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C

Last frostMay 9

First frostOct 9

2012 zone7a

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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Cedar Crest, 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 Cedar Crest, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostMay 9median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 26only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 9median — 10% chance by Sep 24

Growing season152 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 26 and returns around October 21.

From the NOAA station Sandia Park, NM — 5 miles away, elevation 7,031 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 87008

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 18

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

TomatoesTransplant · May 16 – May 30

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 23 – Jun 6

BeansSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 14 – Aug 28

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 25 – Oct 30

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 9) and first fall frost (Oct 9) 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 87008 came on Mar 19 — 23 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 11).

average
Apr 112026
Mar 19

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).

Native plants for zone 7a in New Mexico

532 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New Mexico, and rated by the USDA to survive 0 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Cedar Crest, NM.

Soil in Cedar Crest, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87008 is Kolob — stony loam, well drained.

TextureStony loama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.2neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Kolob-Sandia association.

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 87008; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Cedar Crest, NM

Summer high83 °Faverage high, June

Winter low18 °Faverage low, December

Hot days8days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights171nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,270base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 32 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 47 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation16 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Sandia Park, NM (5 mi away); precipitation: Cedar Crest 0.5 Nnw, NM (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

7 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

871227b

Albuquerque, NM · 6 mi

871117b

Albuquerque, NM · 6 mi

871237b

Albuquerque, NM · 7 mi

871127b

Albuquerque, NM · 7 mi

870437b

Placitas, NM · 9 mi

870477a

Sandia Park, NM · 9 mi

871097b

Albuquerque, NM · 10 mi

871137b

Albuquerque, NM · 10 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87008

What planting zone is ZIP code 87008?

ZIP code 87008 (Cedar Crest, NM) is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 0 to 5 °F (−17.8 to −15 °C).

When is the last frost in Cedar Crest, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87008 is May 9; after May 26 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sandia Park station.

When is the first frost in Cedar Crest, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87008 is October 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 152 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87008?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 14 – Mar 28 and set transplants outside around May 16 – May 30, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87008 get?

About 16 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cedar Crest 0.5 Nnw station).

How hot do summers get in Cedar Crest, NM?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in June, with about 8 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87008 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Kolob at the center of ZIP 87008: stony loam, well drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Cedar Crest, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87008 came on Mar 19 in 2026, 23 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 11), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Cedar Crest, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87008 is 14 h 32 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.