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

Planting zone for 87020 — Grants, NM

ZIP code 87020 (Grants, Cibola County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 17 and the first fall frost October 3.

Where ZIP 87020 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 17

First frostOct 3

2012 zone6b

Was 6b on the 2012 map — half a zone colder now. 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 Grants, 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 Grants, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 17median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 1only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 3median — 10% chance by Sep 21

Growing season137 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 4 and returns around October 11.

From the NOAA station Grants Airport, NM — 11 miles away, elevation 6,519 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 87020

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 26

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 26 – May 10

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

TomatoesTransplant · May 24 – Jun 7

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 31 – Jun 14

BeansSow outdoors · May 24 – Jun 7

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 24 – Jun 7

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 24 – Jun 7

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 8 – Aug 22

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 19 – Oct 24

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 17) and first fall frost (Oct 3) 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 87020 came on Mar 10 — 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 30).

average
Mar 302026
Mar 10

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.

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 Grants, NM.

Soil in Grants, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87020 is Laporte — very cobbly loam, well drained.

TextureVery cobbly 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 groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Rock outcrop-Laporte complex, 30 to 60 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 87020; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Grants, NM

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July

Winter low14 °Faverage low, December

Hot days59days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights182nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,929base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 31 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 48 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation11.4 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: Grants Airport, NM (11 mi away); precipitation: Grants 1.0 W, NM (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

870516a

San Rafael, NM · 4 mi

870216a

Milan, NM · 13 mi

870346b

Pueblo Of Acoma, NM · 18 mi

870056a

Bluewater, NM · 18 mi

870496b

San Fidel, NM · 19 mi

Casa Blanca, NM · 28 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87020

What planting zone is ZIP code 87020?

ZIP code 87020 (Grants, 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 Grants, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87020 is May 17; after June 1 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Grants Airport station.

When is the first frost in Grants, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87020 is October 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 137 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87020?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 22 – Apr 5 and set transplants outside around May 24 – Jun 7, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87020 get?

About 11.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Grants 1.0 W station).

How hot do summers get in Grants, NM?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 59 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87020 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Laporte at the center of ZIP 87020: very cobbly loam, well drained, pH about 8.2 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Grants, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87020 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 30), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Grants, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87020 is 14 h 31 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 87020 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 87020 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.