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

Planting zone for 87056 — Stanley, NM

ZIP code 87056 (Stanley, Santa Fe County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost October 7.

Where ZIP 87056 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 9

First frostOct 7

2012 zone6a

Was 6a 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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Stanley, 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 Stanley, 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 7median — 10% chance by Sep 25

Growing season150 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 30 and returns around October 17.

From the NOAA station Stanley 2 Nne, NM — 4 miles away, elevation 6,375 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 87056

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 12 – Aug 26

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 23 – Oct 28

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 9) and first fall frost (Oct 7) 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 87056 came on Mar 2 — 21 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 23).

average
Mar 232026
Mar 2

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 Stanley, NM.

Soil in Stanley, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87056 is Davishat — loamy very fine sand, well drained.

TextureLoamy very fine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH7.9alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.7%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Davishat-Palma complex, 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 87056; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Stanley, NM

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July

Winter low18 °Faverage low, January

Hot days29days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights166nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,625base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 32 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

Precipitation12.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall22 inper year; 20 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: Stanley 2 Nne, NM (4 mi away); precipitation: Stanley 2 Nne, NM (4 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.

870706b

Clines Corners, NM · 13 mi

Cerrillos, NM · 22 mi

870326a

Mcintosh, NM · 22 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87056

What planting zone is ZIP code 87056?

ZIP code 87056 (Stanley, 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 Stanley, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87056 is May 9; after May 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Stanley 2 Nne station.

When is the first frost in Stanley, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87056 is October 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 150 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87056?

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 87056 get?

About 12.1 inches of precipitation a year and 22 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Stanley 2 Nne station).

How hot do summers get in Stanley, NM?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 29 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87056 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Davishat at the center of ZIP 87056: loamy very fine sand, well drained, pH about 7.9 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Stanley, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87056 came on Mar 2 in 2026, 21 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Stanley, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87056 is 14 h 32 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 87056 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 87056 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.