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

Planting zone for 87051 — San Rafael, NM

ZIP code 87051 (San Rafael, Cibola County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 17 and the first fall frost October 3.

Where ZIP 87051 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.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F
Coldest night−23.3 to −20.6 °C
Last frostMay 17
First frostOct 3
2012 zone6b

Was 6b on the 2012 map — half a zone colder now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for San Rafael, 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 San Rafael, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 17median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 1only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 3median — 10% chance by Sep 21
Growing season137 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 4 and returns around October 11.

From the NOAA station Grants Airport, NM — 9 miles away, elevation 6,519 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 87051

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 26
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 26 – May 10
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5
TomatoesTransplant · May 24 – Jun 7
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 31 – Jun 14
BeansSow outdoors · May 24 – Jun 7
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 24 – Jun 7
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 24 – Jun 7
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 8 – Aug 22
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 19 – Oct 24
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 17) and first fall frost (Oct 3) 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 87051 came on Mar 2 — 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 19).

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 6a in New Mexico

511 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New Mexico, and rated by the USDA to survive −10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 27

Arizona cypress50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °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 °Fblue spruce100 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Fboxelder60 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °F

Shrubs 95

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 223

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 158

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 San Rafael, NM.

Soil in San Rafael, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87051 is Teco — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Teco-Atarque association, 1 to 8 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 87051; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in San Rafael, NM

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July
Winter low14 °Faverage low, December
Hot days59days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights182nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,929base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 31 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 48 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation11.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 50 °F, low 15 °F 50°15° JanFebruary: average high 56 °F, low 17 °F 56°17° FebMarch: average high 64 °F, low 23 °F 64°23° MarApril: average high 70 °F, low 31 °F 70°31° AprMay: average high 80 °F, low 39 °F 80°39° MayJune: average high 90 °F, low 48 °F 90°48° JunJuly: average high 92 °F, low 55 °F 92°55° JulAugust: average high 89 °F, low 53 °F 89°53° AugSeptember: average high 84 °F, low 45 °F 84°45° SepOctober: average high 73 °F, low 32 °F 73°32° OctNovember: average high 60 °F, low 21 °F 60°21° NovDecember: average high 50 °F, low 14 °F 50°14° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″January: 0.53 in precipitation 0.5 JanFebruary: 0.57 in precipitation 0.6 FebMarch: 0.63 in precipitation 0.6 MarApril: 0.90 in precipitation 0.9 AprMay: 0.63 in precipitation 0.6 MayJune: 0.50 in precipitation 0.5 JunJuly: 1.62 in precipitation 1.6 JulAugust: 2.47 in precipitation 2.5 AugSeptember: 1.25 in precipitation 1.3 SepOctober: 1.04 in precipitation 1.0 OctNovember: 0.64 in precipitation 0.6 NovDecember: 0.67 in precipitation 0.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Grants Airport, NM (9 mi away); precipitation: Grants 1.0 W, NM (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

870206a
Grants, NM · 4 mi
870216a
Milan, NM · 11 mi
870496b
San Fidel, NM · 14 mi
870346b
Pueblo Of Acoma, NM · 15 mi
870056a
Bluewater, NM · 18 mi
870076b
Casa Blanca, NM · 24 mi
870386b
New Laguna, NM · 25 mi
870406b
Paguate, NM · 26 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87051

What planting zone is ZIP code 87051?

ZIP code 87051 (San Rafael, NM) is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −10 to −5 °F (−23.3 to −20.6 °C).

When is the last frost in San Rafael, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87051 is May 17; after June 1 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Grants Airport station.

When is the first frost in San Rafael, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87051 is October 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 137 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87051?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 22 – Apr 5 and set transplants outside around May 24 – Jun 7, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87051 get?

About 11.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Grants 1.0 W station).

How hot do summers get in San Rafael, NM?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 59 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87051 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Teco at the center of ZIP 87051: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in San Rafael, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87051 came on Mar 2 in 2026, 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in San Rafael, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87051 is 14 h 31 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 87051 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 87051 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.