Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 30, 2026

Planting zone for 87042 — Peralta, NM

ZIP code 87042 (Peralta, 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 87042 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 Peralta, 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 Peralta, 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 — 6 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 87042

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 87042 came on Feb 20 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 3).

average
Mar 32026
Feb 20

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.

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 Peralta, NM.

Soil in Peralta, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87042 is Gila — clay loam, well drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

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 classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Gila clay loam, moderately 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 87042; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Peralta, 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 30 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 49 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation11 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: Los Lunas 3 Ssw, NM (6 mi away); precipitation: Peralta 0.6 S, NM (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

870317b

Los Lunas, NM · 4 mi

870687b

Bosque Farms, NM · 5 mi

Albuquerque, NM · 11 mi

871068a

Albuquerque, NM · 13 mi

871037b

Albuquerque, NM · 15 mi

871198a

Albuquerque, NM · 15 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87042

What planting zone is ZIP code 87042?

ZIP code 87042 (Peralta, 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 Peralta, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87042 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 Peralta, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87042 is October 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 178 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87042?

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 87042 get?

About 11 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Peralta 0.6 S station).

How hot do summers get in Peralta, 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 87042 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Gila at the center of ZIP 87042: clay loam, well drained, pH about 8.5 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Peralta, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87042 came on Feb 20 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Peralta, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87042 is 14 h 30 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.