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

Planting zone for 87010 — Cerrillos, NM

ZIP code 87010 (Cerrillos, Santa Fe County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost October 15.

Where ZIP 87010 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 4

First frostOct 15

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 Cerrillos, 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 Cerrillos, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 4median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 17only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 15median — 10% chance by Oct 4

Growing season164 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 23 and returns around October 24.

From the NOAA station Santa Fe Co. Municipal Airport, NM — 16 miles away, elevation 6,345 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 87010

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 13

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

TomatoesTransplant · May 11 – May 25

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 18 – Jun 1

BeansSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 20 – Sep 3

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 1 – Nov 5

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 4) and first fall frost (Oct 15) 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 87010 came on Feb 24 — 18 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 14).

average
Mar 142026
Feb 24

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 Cerrillos, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87010 is Puertecito — extremely cobbly sandy loam, well drained.

TextureExtremely cobbly sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH8.0alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.8%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Puertecito-Paraje complex, 15 to 50 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 87010; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Cerrillos, NM

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low20 °Faverage low, January

Hot days41days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights153nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,950base 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

Precipitation14.1 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: Santa Fe Co. Municipal Airport, NM (16 mi away); precipitation: Santa Fe 15.7 Ssw, NM (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Sandia Park, NM · 13 mi

875087a

Santa Fe, NM · 14 mi

870017b

Algodones, NM · 14 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87010

What planting zone is ZIP code 87010?

ZIP code 87010 (Cerrillos, 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 Cerrillos, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87010 is May 4; after May 17 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Santa Fe Co. Municipal Airport station.

When is the first frost in Cerrillos, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87010 is October 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 164 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87010?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 9 – Mar 23 and set transplants outside around May 11 – May 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87010 get?

About 14.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Santa Fe 15.7 Ssw station).

How hot do summers get in Cerrillos, NM?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 41 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87010 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Puertecito at the center of ZIP 87010: extremely cobbly sandy loam, well drained, pH about 8.0 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Cerrillos, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87010 came on Feb 24 in 2026, 18 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 14), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Cerrillos, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87010 is 14 h 33 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.