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

Planting zone for 87038 — New Laguna, NM

ZIP code 87038 (New Laguna, Cibola County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 13 and the first fall frost October 4.

Where ZIP 87038 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 frostMay 13

First frostOct 4

2012 zone6b

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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for New Laguna, 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 New Laguna, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 13median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 29only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 4median — 10% chance by Sep 22

Growing season145 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 30 and returns around October 15.

From the NOAA station Cubero, NM — 6 miles away, elevation 6,195 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 87038

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 22

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 22 – May 6

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

TomatoesTransplant · May 20 – Jun 3

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 27 – Jun 10

BeansSow outdoors · May 20 – Jun 3

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 20 – Jun 3

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 20 – Jun 3

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 9 – Aug 23

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 20 – Oct 25

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 13) and first fall frost (Oct 4) 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 87038 came on Feb 24 — 23 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 19).

average
Mar 192026
Feb 24

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 New Laguna, NM.

Soil in New Laguna, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87038 is Berto — cobbly loam, well drained.

TextureCobbly 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: Berto-Flaco cobbly loams, 1 to 10 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 87038; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in New Laguna, NM

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low18 °Faverage low, January

Hot days47days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights162nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,001base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 31 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 47 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation10 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall15 inper year; 5 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Cubero, NM (6 mi away); precipitation: Cubero, NM (6 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.

Casa Blanca, NM · 9 mi

870496b

San Fidel, NM · 13 mi

870267a

Laguna, NM · 14 mi

870346b

Pueblo Of Acoma, NM · 17 mi

870516a

San Rafael, NM · 25 mi

870216a

Milan, NM · 27 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87038

What planting zone is ZIP code 87038?

ZIP code 87038 (New Laguna, 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 New Laguna, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87038 is May 13; after May 29 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cubero station.

When is the first frost in New Laguna, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87038 is October 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 145 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87038?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 18 – Apr 1 and set transplants outside around May 20 – Jun 3, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87038 get?

About 10 inches of precipitation a year and 15 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cubero station).

How hot do summers get in New Laguna, NM?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 47 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87038 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Berto at the center of ZIP 87038: cobbly loam, well drained, pH about 8.2 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in New Laguna, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87038 came on Feb 24 in 2026, 23 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in New Laguna, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87038 is 14 h 31 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.