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

Planting zone for 87062 — Veguita, NM

ZIP code 87062 (Veguita, Socorro County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost October 14.

Where ZIP 87062 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.

Zone7b5 to 10 °F

Coldest night−15 to −12.2 °C

Last frostApr 29

First frostOct 14

2012 zone7a

Was 7a 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 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Veguita, 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 Veguita, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 29median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 13only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 14median — 10% chance by Oct 1

Growing season166 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 17 and returns around October 23.

From the NOAA station Bernardo, NM — 8 miles away, elevation 4,734 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 87062

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 8

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

TomatoesTransplant · May 6 – May 20

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 13 – May 27

BeansSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 19 – Sep 2

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 30 – Nov 4

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 29) and first fall frost (Oct 14) 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 87062 came on Feb 23 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 28).

average
Feb 282026
Feb 23

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 7b in New Mexico

535 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 7b. 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 Veguita, NM.

Soil in Veguita, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87062 is Turney — loamy sand, well drained.

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

pH7.9alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Turney loamy sand, 1 to 5 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 87062; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Veguita, NM

Summer high95 °Faverage high, July

Winter low19 °Faverage low, January

Hot days104days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights136nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,979base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 28 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 51 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation8.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall5 inper year; 2 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: Bernardo, NM (8 mi away); precipitation: Bernardo, NM (8 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.

San Acacia, NM · 16 mi

870607a

Tome, NM · 19 mi

878287b

Polvadera, NM · 22 mi

878237b

Lemitar, NM · 24 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87062

What planting zone is ZIP code 87062?

ZIP code 87062 (Veguita, NM) is in USDA hardiness zone 7b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 5 to 10 °F (−15 to −12.2 °C).

When is the last frost in Veguita, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87062 is April 29; after May 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bernardo station.

When is the first frost in Veguita, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87062 is October 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 166 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87062?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 4 – Mar 18 and set transplants outside around May 6 – May 20, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87062 get?

About 8.2 inches of precipitation a year and 5 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bernardo station).

How hot do summers get in Veguita, NM?

The average high peaks at 95 °F in July, with about 104 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87062 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Turney at the center of ZIP 87062: loamy sand, well drained, pH about 7.9 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Veguita, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87062 came on Feb 23 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 28), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Veguita, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87062 is 14 h 28 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 87062 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 87062 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.