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

Planting zone for 87044 — Ponderosa, NM

ZIP code 87044 (Ponderosa, Sandoval County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost October 11.

Where ZIP 87044 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 frostMay 9

First frostOct 11

2012 zone6b

Was 6b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. 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 Ponderosa, 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 Ponderosa, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 9median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 23only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 11median — 10% chance by Sep 28

Growing season153 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 26 and returns around October 21.

From the NOAA station Jemez Springs, NM — 5 miles away, elevation 6,263 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 87044

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 18

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

TomatoesTransplant · May 16 – May 30

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 23 – Jun 6

BeansSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 16 – Aug 30

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 27 – Nov 1

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 9) and first fall frost (Oct 11) 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 87044 came on Mar 1 — 24 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 25).

average
Mar 252026
Mar 1

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 Ponderosa, NM.

Soil in Ponderosa, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87044 is Jemez family — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter75%high

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Jemez family, warm, 0 to 40 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 87044; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ponderosa, NM

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low19 °Faverage low, January

Hot days42days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights160nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,786base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 35 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 44 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation15.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall23 inper year; 13 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: Jemez Springs, NM (5 mi away); precipitation: Jemez Springs, NM (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

870247a

Jemez Pueblo, NM · 6 mi

870256b

Jemez Springs, NM · 9 mi

870537a

San Ysidro, NM · 16 mi

870727a

Cochiti Pueblo, NM · 16 mi

870837a

Cochiti Lake, NM · 17 mi

870417a

Pena Blanca, NM · 20 mi

870527b

Santo Domingo Pueblo, NM · 20 mi

875447a

Los Alamos, NM · 21 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87044

What planting zone is ZIP code 87044?

ZIP code 87044 (Ponderosa, 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 Ponderosa, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87044 is May 9; after May 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Jemez Springs station.

When is the first frost in Ponderosa, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87044 is October 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 153 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87044?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 14 – Mar 28 and set transplants outside around May 16 – May 30, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87044 get?

About 15.2 inches of precipitation a year and 23 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Jemez Springs station).

How hot do summers get in Ponderosa, NM?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 42 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87044 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Jemez family at the center of ZIP 87044: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Ponderosa, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87044 came on Mar 1 in 2026, 24 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 25), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Ponderosa, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87044 is 14 h 35 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 87044 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 87044 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.