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

Planting zone for 87023 — Jarales, NM

ZIP code 87023 (Jarales, Valencia County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost October 21.

Where ZIP 87023 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 frostApr 23
First frostOct 21
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 Jarales, 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 Jarales, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 23median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 6only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 21median — 10% chance by Oct 7
Growing season178 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 8 and returns around October 31.

From the NOAA station Los Lunas 3 Ssw, NM — 12 miles away, elevation 4,839 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 87023

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Apr 2
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 2 – Apr 16
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 7 – May 21
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 26 – Sep 9
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 7 – Nov 11
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 23) and first fall frost (Oct 21) 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 87023 came on Feb 23 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 27).

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 Jarales, NM.

Soil in Jarales, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87023 is Gila — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH8.5alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Gila loam, strongly saline and alkali.

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 87023; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Jarales, NM

Summer high93 °Faverage high, July
Winter low19 °Faverage low, January
Hot days92days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights152nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,837base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 29 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 50 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation10.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 51 °F, low 19 °F 51°19° JanFebruary: average high 58 °F, low 23 °F 58°23° FebMarch: average high 66 °F, low 30 °F 66°30° MarApril: average high 73 °F, low 37 °F 73°37° AprMay: average high 82 °F, low 46 °F 82°46° MayJune: average high 92 °F, low 56 °F 92°56° JunJuly: average high 93 °F, low 62 °F 93°62° JulAugust: average high 91 °F, low 60 °F 91°60° AugSeptember: average high 85 °F, low 52 °F 85°52° SepOctober: average high 74 °F, low 38 °F 74°38° OctNovember: average high 61 °F, low 27 °F 61°27° NovDecember: average high 50 °F, low 20 °F 50°20° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″January: 0.66 in precipitation 0.7 JanFebruary: 0.53 in precipitation 0.5 FebMarch: 0.53 in precipitation 0.5 MarApril: 0.58 in precipitation 0.6 AprMay: 0.63 in precipitation 0.6 MayJune: 0.48 in precipitation 0.5 JunJuly: 1.76 in precipitation 1.8 JulAugust: 1.26 in precipitation 1.3 AugSeptember: 1.25 in precipitation 1.3 SepOctober: 1.31 in precipitation 1.3 OctNovember: 0.44 in precipitation 0.4 NovDecember: 0.78 in precipitation 0.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Los Lunas 3 Ssw, NM (12 mi away); precipitation: Belen 1.0 Nne, NM (5 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.

870027b
Belen, NM · 4 mi
870067b
Bosque, NM · 9 mi
870607a
Tome, NM · 10 mi
870627b
Veguita, NM · 10 mi
870317b
Los Lunas, NM · 13 mi
870427a
Peralta, NM · 16 mi
870287b
La Joya, NM · 17 mi
870687b
Bosque Farms, NM · 21 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87023

What planting zone is ZIP code 87023?

ZIP code 87023 (Jarales, 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 Jarales, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87023 is April 23; after May 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Los Lunas 3 Ssw station.

When is the first frost in Jarales, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87023 is October 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 178 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87023?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 26 – Mar 12 and set transplants outside around Apr 30 – May 14, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87023 get?

About 10.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Belen 1.0 Nne station).

How hot do summers get in Jarales, NM?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in July, with about 92 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87023 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Gila at the center of ZIP 87023: loam, well drained, pH about 8.5 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Jarales, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87023 came on Feb 23 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 27), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Jarales, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87023 is 14 h 29 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.