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

Planting zone for 87120 — Albuquerque, NM

ZIP code 87120 (Albuquerque, Bernalillo County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost October 27.

Where ZIP 87120 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 15
First frostOct 27
2012 zone7b

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 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Albuquerque, 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 Albuquerque, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 15median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 30only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 27median — 10% chance by Oct 16
Growing season193 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 31 and returns around November 4.

From the NOAA station Petroglyph Natl Mon, NM — 3 miles away, elevation 5,122 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 87120

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 25
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 25 – Apr 8
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 22 – May 6
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 1 – Sep 15
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 13 – Nov 17
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 15) and first fall frost (Oct 27) 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 87120 came on Feb 15 — 23 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 10).

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.

Trees 29

Arizona cypress50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °FArizona madrone30 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −4 °FArizona sycamore80 ft · blooms early spring · high shade tolerance · to −8 °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 °F

Shrubs 103

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 229

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 166

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 Albuquerque, NM.

Soil in Albuquerque, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87120 is Akela — very cobbly sandy loam, well drained.

TextureVery cobbly sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH7.9alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Rock outcrop-Akela complex, 10 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 87120; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Albuquerque, NM

Summer high93 °Faverage high, July
Winter low24 °Faverage low, January
Hot days91days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights112nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,153base 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
Precipitation10.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 50 °F, low 24 °F 50°24° JanFebruary: average high 56 °F, low 28 °F 56°28° FebMarch: average high 65 °F, low 34 °F 65°34° MarApril: average high 72 °F, low 41 °F 72°41° AprMay: average high 81 °F, low 50 °F 81°50° MayJune: average high 92 °F, low 60 °F 92°60° JunJuly: average high 93 °F, low 65 °F 93°65° JulAugust: average high 91 °F, low 63 °F 91°63° AugSeptember: average high 84 °F, low 56 °F 84°56° SepOctober: average high 72 °F, low 43 °F 72°43° OctNovember: average high 59 °F, low 32 °F 59°32° NovDecember: average high 49 °F, low 24 °F 49°24° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″January: 0.50 in precipitation 0.5 JanFebruary: 0.50 in precipitation 0.5 FebMarch: 0.55 in precipitation 0.6 MarApril: 0.67 in precipitation 0.7 AprMay: 0.52 in precipitation 0.5 MayJune: 0.49 in precipitation 0.5 JunJuly: 1.74 in precipitation 1.7 JulAugust: 1.65 in precipitation 1.6 AugSeptember: 1.35 in precipitation 1.4 SepOctober: 1.09 in precipitation 1.1 OctNovember: 0.62 in precipitation 0.6 NovDecember: 0.74 in precipitation 0.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Petroglyph Natl Mon, NM (3 mi away); precipitation: Albuquerque 5.9 Wnw, NM (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

871047b
Albuquerque, NM · 6 mi
871147b
Albuquerque, NM · 6 mi
871077b
Albuquerque, NM · 7 mi
871017b
Albuquerque, NM · 7 mi
871587b
Albuquerque, NM · 7 mi
871977b
Albuquerque, NM · 7 mi
871988a
Albuquerque, NM · 7 mi
871027b
Albuquerque, NM · 8 mi

All 40 ZIP codes in Albuquerque → · New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87120

What planting zone is ZIP code 87120?

ZIP code 87120 (Albuquerque, 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 Albuquerque, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87120 is April 15; after April 30 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Petroglyph Natl Mon station.

When is the first frost in Albuquerque, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87120 is October 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 193 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87120?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 18 – Mar 4 and set transplants outside around Apr 22 – May 6, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87120 get?

About 10.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Albuquerque 5.9 Wnw station).

How hot do summers get in Albuquerque, NM?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in July, with about 91 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87120 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Akela at the center of ZIP 87120: very cobbly sandy loam, well drained, pH about 7.9 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Albuquerque, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87120 came on Feb 15 in 2026, 23 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 10), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Albuquerque, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87120 is 14 h 32 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.