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

Planting zone for 87012 — Coyote, NM

ZIP code 87012 (Coyote, Rio Arriba County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is June 19 and the first fall frost September 13.

Where ZIP 87012 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.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F

Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C

Last frostJun 19

First frostSep 13

2012 zone6a

Was 6a on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Coyote, 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 Coyote, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostJune 19median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJuly 6only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 13median — 10% chance by Aug 30

Growing season83 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around June 4 and returns around September 23.

From the NOAA station Wolf Canyon, NM — 14 miles away, elevation 8,222 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 87012

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22

SpinachSow outdoors · May 8 – May 29

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 29 – Jun 12

Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 22 – Jun 5

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 29 – Jun 12

LettuceSow outdoors · May 22 – Jun 5

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 29 – Jun 12

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 24 – May 8

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 26 – Jul 10

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jul 3 – Jul 17

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 26 – Jul 10

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 26 – Jul 10

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 26 – Jul 10

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 19 – Aug 2

GarlicPlant cloves · Aug 30 – Oct 4

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 19) and first fall frost (Sep 13) 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 87012 came on Mar 19 — 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 4).

average
Apr 42026
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 6b in New Mexico

515 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New Mexico, and rated by the USDA to survive −5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6b. 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 Coyote, NM.

Soil in Coyote, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87012 is Vibo family — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Vibo-Arabrab, stony families complex, 0 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 87012; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Coyote, NM

Summer high77 °Faverage high, July

Winter low9 °Faverage low, January

Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights243nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days941base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 37 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 42 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation24.9 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: Wolf Canyon, NM (14 mi away); precipitation: Vacas Locas, NM (11 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.

870646b

Youngsville, NM · 7 mi

Jemez Springs, NM · 20 mi

875377a

Hernandez, NM · 22 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87012

What planting zone is ZIP code 87012?

ZIP code 87012 (Coyote, NM) is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −5 to 0 °F (−20.6 to −17.8 °C).

When is the last frost in Coyote, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87012 is June 19; after July 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Wolf Canyon station.

When is the first frost in Coyote, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87012 is September 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 83 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87012?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 24 – May 8 and set transplants outside around Jun 26 – Jul 10, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87012 get?

About 24.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Vacas Locas station).

How hot do summers get in Coyote, NM?

The average high peaks at 77 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87012 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Vibo family at the center of ZIP 87012: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Coyote, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87012 came on Mar 19 in 2026, 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Coyote, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87012 is 14 h 37 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 87012 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 87012 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.