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

Planting zone for 87011 — Claunch, NM

ZIP code 87011 (Claunch, Socorro County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost October 15.

Where ZIP 87011 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 2
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 Claunch, 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 Claunch, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 2median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 15only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 15median — 10% chance by Oct 1
Growing season164 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 21 and returns around October 24.

From the NOAA station Gran Quivira Natl Mon, NM — 14 miles away, elevation 6,601 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 87011

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 11
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
TomatoesTransplant · May 9 – May 23
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 16 – May 30
BeansSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23
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 2) 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 87011 came on Mar 1 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 9).

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.

Trees 29

Arizona cypress50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °FArizona madrone30 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −4 °FArizona sycamore80 ft · blooms early spring · high shade tolerance · to −8 °FArizona walnut50 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −33 °Fblack locust60 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −37 °Fblack walnut100 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °F

Shrubs 103

alderleaf mountain mahogany15 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −41 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican plum24 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican tarwort3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −23 °Fantelope bitterbrush6 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −36 °FApache plume6 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −23 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 229

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine bistort1 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine mountainsorrel1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °FAmerican alpine speedwell1 ft · blooms summer · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican bistort1.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Grasses 163

alkali cordgrass3 ft · blooms late summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falkali sacaton3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine timothy1.4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °Fanalogue sedge1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Farctic bluegrass2 ft · high shade tolerance · to −62 °FArizona cottontop4 ft · blooms late summer · high shade tolerance · to −13 °F

Vines 1

western white clematis1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °F

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 Claunch, NM.

Soil in Claunch, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87011 is Puice — channery loam, well drained.

TextureChannery loama good balance for most vegetables
pH8.2alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Puice-Tanbark-Harvey association, 1 to 25 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 87011; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Claunch, NM

Summer high88 °Faverage high, June
Winter low23 °Faverage low, January
Hot days43days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights133nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,171base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 26 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 53 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation15.3 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall11 inper year

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 49 °F, low 23 °F 49°23° JanFebruary: average high 54 °F, low 26 °F 54°26° FebMarch: average high 62 °F, low 31 °F 62°31° MarApril: average high 70 °F, low 36 °F 70°36° AprMay: average high 78 °F, low 45 °F 78°45° MayJune: average high 88 °F, low 54 °F 88°54° JunJuly: average high 88 °F, low 57 °F 88°57° JulAugust: average high 86 °F, low 56 °F 86°56° AugSeptember: average high 80 °F, low 50 °F 80°50° SepOctober: average high 70 °F, low 40 °F 70°40° 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 · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″January: 0.61 in precipitation, 2.2 in snowfall 0.6❄2 JanFebruary: 0.53 in precipitation, 2.7 in snowfall 0.5❄3 FebMarch: 0.56 in precipitation, 1.6 in snowfall 0.6❄2 MarApril: 0.56 in precipitation, 0.3 in snowfall 0.6 AprMay: 0.95 in precipitation 0.9 MayJune: 1.04 in precipitation 1.0 JunJuly: 2.82 in precipitation 2.8 JulAugust: 3.01 in precipitation 3.0 AugSeptember: 1.93 in precipitation 1.9 SepOctober: 1.73 in precipitation, 1.1 in snowfall 1.7❄1 OctNovember: 0.65 in precipitation, 1.2 in snowfall 0.7❄1 NovDecember: 0.96 in precipitation, 1.4 in snowfall 1.0❄1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Gran Quivira Natl Mon, NM (14 mi away); precipitation: Gran Quivira Natl Mon, NM (14 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

883017a
Carrizozo, NM · 24 mi
870367a
Mountainair, NM · 25 mi
883187a
Corona, NM · 28 mi
870636b
Willard, NM · 33 mi
883167a
Capitan, NM · 41 mi
883417a
Nogal, NM · 43 mi
870166a
Estancia, NM · 47 mi
883237a
Fort Stanton, NM · 47 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87011

What planting zone is ZIP code 87011?

ZIP code 87011 (Claunch, 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 Claunch, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87011 is May 2; after May 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Gran Quivira Natl Mon station.

When is the first frost in Claunch, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87011 is October 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 164 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87011?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 7 – Mar 21 and set transplants outside around May 9 – May 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87011 get?

About 15.3 inches of precipitation a year and 11 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Gran Quivira Natl Mon station).

How hot do summers get in Claunch, NM?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in June, with about 43 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87011 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Puice at the center of ZIP 87011: channery loam, well drained, pH about 8.2 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Claunch, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87011 came on Mar 1 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 9), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Claunch, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87011 is 14 h 26 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.