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

Planting zone for 87018 — Counselor, NM

ZIP code 87018 (Counselor, Sandoval County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost October 9.

Where ZIP 87018 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.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F
Coldest night−23.3 to −20.6 °C
Last frostMay 9
First frostOct 9
2012 zone6a

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 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Counselor, 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 Counselor, 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 31only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 9median — 10% chance by Sep 29
Growing season153 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 26 and returns around October 20.

From the NOAA station Lybrook, NM — 9 miles away, elevation 7,149 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 87018

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 87018 came on Mar 17 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 31).

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 6a in New Mexico

511 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New Mexico, and rated by the USDA to survive −10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 27

Arizona cypress50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °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 °Fblue spruce100 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Fboxelder60 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °F

Shrubs 95

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 223

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 158

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 Counselor, NM.

Soil in Counselor, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87018 is Blancot — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH8.1alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.7%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Blancot-Councelor-Tsosie association, 0 to 5 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 87018; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Counselor, NM

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July
Winter low16 °Faverage low, January
Hot days5days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights163nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,381base 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
Precipitation10.4 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall17 inper year

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 39 °F, low 16 °F 39°16° JanFebruary: average high 44 °F, low 20 °F 44°20° FebMarch: average high 53 °F, low 27 °F 53°27° MarApril: average high 60 °F, low 33 °F 60°33° AprMay: average high 70 °F, low 42 °F 70°42° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 52 °F 81°52° JunJuly: average high 84 °F, low 56 °F 84°56° JulAugust: average high 81 °F, low 54 °F 81°54° AugSeptember: average high 75 °F, low 48 °F 75°48° SepOctober: average high 63 °F, low 37 °F 63°37° OctNovember: average high 49 °F, low 25 °F 49°25° NovDecember: average high 39 °F, low 16 °F 39°16° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″January: 0.84 in precipitation, 5.9 in snowfall 0.8❄6 JanFebruary: 0.52 in precipitation, 2.9 in snowfall 0.5❄3 FebMarch: 0.33 in precipitation, 1.4 in snowfall 0.3❄1 MarApril: 0.58 in precipitation, 1.3 in snowfall 0.6❄1 AprMay: 0.86 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 0.9 MayJune: 0.52 in precipitation 0.5 JunJuly: 1.48 in precipitation 1.5 JulAugust: 1.97 in precipitation 2.0 AugSeptember: 1.32 in precipitation 1.3 SepOctober: 0.86 in precipitation, 0.6 in snowfall 0.9❄1 OctNovember: 0.49 in precipitation, 1 in snowfall 0.5❄1 NovDecember: 0.59 in precipitation, 3.7 in snowfall 0.6❄4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Lybrook, NM (9 mi away); precipitation: Lybrook, NM (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

870376b
Nageezi, NM · 15 mi
870136a
Cuba, NM · 18 mi
874137a
Bloomfield, NM · 34 mi
870295b
Lindrith, NM · 35 mi
874126b
Blanco, NM · 37 mi
874997a
Farmington, NM · 42 mi
873136b
Crownpoint, NM · 44 mi
873656a
Smith Lake, NM · 52 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87018

What planting zone is ZIP code 87018?

ZIP code 87018 (Counselor, NM) is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −10 to −5 °F (−23.3 to −20.6 °C).

When is the last frost in Counselor, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87018 is May 9; after May 31 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lybrook station.

When is the first frost in Counselor, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87018 is October 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 153 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87018?

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 87018 get?

About 10.4 inches of precipitation a year and 17 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lybrook station).

How hot do summers get in Counselor, NM?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 5 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87018 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Blancot at the center of ZIP 87018: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 8.1 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Counselor, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87018 came on Mar 17 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 31), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Counselor, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87018 is 14 h 37 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.