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

Planting zone for 87061 — Torreon, NM

ZIP code 87061 (Torreon, Torrance County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 7 and the first fall frost October 9.

Where ZIP 87061 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 7

First frostOct 9

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 Torreon, 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 Torreon, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 7median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 21only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 9median — 10% chance by Sep 25

Growing season154 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 28 and returns around October 19.

From the NOAA station Mountainair 8nw, NM — 7 miles away, elevation 6,674 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 87061

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 16

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 16 – Apr 30

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

TomatoesTransplant · May 14 – May 28

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 21 – Jun 4

BeansSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 14 – Aug 28

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 25 – Oct 30

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 7) and first fall frost (Oct 9) 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 87061 came on Mar 3 — 28 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 31).

average
Mar 312026
Mar 3

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 Torreon, NM.

Soil in Torreon, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87061 is Capillo — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Capillo loam, 15 to 50 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 87061; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Torreon, NM

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low18 °Faverage low, January

Hot days39days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights163nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,661base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 29 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

Precipitation17 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall37 inper year; 23 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: Mountainair 8nw, NM (7 mi away); precipitation: Mountainair 8nw, NM (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

870427a

Peralta, NM · 19 mi

870687b

Bosque Farms, NM · 20 mi

870317b

Los Lunas, NM · 20 mi

Kirtland Afb, NM · 22 mi

870326a

Mcintosh, NM · 22 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87061

What planting zone is ZIP code 87061?

ZIP code 87061 (Torreon, 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 Torreon, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87061 is May 7; after May 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mountainair 8nw station.

When is the first frost in Torreon, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87061 is October 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 154 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87061?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 12 – Mar 26 and set transplants outside around May 14 – May 28, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87061 get?

About 17 inches of precipitation a year and 37 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mountainair 8nw station).

How hot do summers get in Torreon, NM?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 39 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87061 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Capillo at the center of ZIP 87061: loam, well drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Torreon, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87061 came on Mar 3 in 2026, 28 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 31), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Torreon, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87061 is 14 h 29 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.