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

Planting zone for 87027 — La Jara, NM

ZIP code 87027 (La Jara, Sandoval County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 30 and the first fall frost September 28.

Where ZIP 87027 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.

Zone5b−15 to −10 °F

Coldest night−26.1 to −23.3 °C

Last frostMay 30

First frostSep 28

2012 zone5b

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 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for La Jara, 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 La Jara, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 30median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 16only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 28median — 10% chance by Sep 16

Growing season119 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 17 and returns around October 5.

From the NOAA station Cuba, NM — 9 miles away, elevation 6,910 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 87027

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 9

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 9 – May 23

Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 2 – May 16

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 9 – May 23

LettuceSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 6 – Jun 20

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 13 – Jun 27

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 6 – Jun 20

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 6 – Jun 20

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 6 – Jun 20

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 3 – Aug 17

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 14 – Oct 19

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 30) and first fall frost (Sep 28) 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 87027 came on Mar 21 — 18 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 8).

average
Apr 82026
Mar 21

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 5b in New Mexico

481 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New Mexico, and rated by the USDA to survive −15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5b. 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 La Jara, NM.

Soil in La Jara, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87027 is Menefee — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.9alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Badland-Menefee complex, 15 to 35 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 87027; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in La Jara, NM

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July

Winter low14 °Faverage low, January

Hot days20days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights217nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,240base 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

Precipitation12.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall34 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Cuba, NM (9 mi away); precipitation: Cuba, 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.

Youngsville, NM · 23 mi

Jemez Springs, NM · 27 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87027

What planting zone is ZIP code 87027?

ZIP code 87027 (La Jara, NM) is in USDA hardiness zone 5b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −15 to −10 °F (−26.1 to −23.3 °C).

When is the last frost in La Jara, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87027 is May 30; after June 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cuba station.

When is the first frost in La Jara, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87027 is September 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 119 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87027?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 4 – Apr 18 and set transplants outside around Jun 6 – Jun 20, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87027 get?

About 12.8 inches of precipitation a year and 34 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cuba station).

How hot do summers get in La Jara, NM?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 20 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87027 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Menefee at the center of ZIP 87027: loam, well drained, pH about 7.9 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in La Jara, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87027 came on Mar 21 in 2026, 18 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 8), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in La Jara, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87027 is 14 h 37 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.