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

Planting zone for 87124 — Rio Rancho, NM

ZIP code 87124 (Rio Rancho, Sandoval County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost November 1.

Where ZIP 87124 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 8

First frostNov 1

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 Rio Rancho, 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 Rio Rancho, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 8median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 28only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 1median — 10% chance by Oct 20

Growing season203 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 20 and returns around November 9.

From the NOAA station Rio Rancho #2, NM — 9 miles away, elevation 5,289 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 87124

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 18

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 18 – Apr 1

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 22 – May 6

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 6 – Sep 20

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 18 – Nov 22

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 8) and first fall frost (Nov 1) 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 87124 came on Feb 23 — 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 14).

average
Mar 142026
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 Rio Rancho, NM.

Soil in Rio Rancho, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87124 is Zia — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH7.6slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.7%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Zia-Clovis association, 2 to 10 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 87124; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Rio Rancho, NM

Summer high96 °Faverage high, July

Winter low24 °Faverage low, January

Hot days95days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights116nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,288base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 32 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 46 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation10.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Rio Rancho #2, NM (9 mi away); precipitation: Rio Rancho 3.5 W, NM (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7b.

871447b

Rio Rancho, NM · 6 mi

871147b

Albuquerque, NM · 8 mi

871207b

Albuquerque, NM · 9 mi

870487b

Corrales, NM · 10 mi

871077b

Albuquerque, NM · 13 mi

870047b

Bernalillo, NM · 13 mi

871047b

Albuquerque, NM · 13 mi

871137b

Albuquerque, NM · 14 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Rio Rancho → · New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87124

What planting zone is ZIP code 87124?

ZIP code 87124 (Rio Rancho, 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 Rio Rancho, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87124 is April 8; after April 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Rio Rancho #2 station.

When is the first frost in Rio Rancho, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87124 is November 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 203 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87124?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 11 – Feb 25 and set transplants outside around Apr 15 – Apr 29, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87124 get?

About 10.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Rio Rancho 3.5 W station).

How hot do summers get in Rio Rancho, NM?

The average high peaks at 96 °F in July, with about 95 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87124 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Zia at the center of ZIP 87124: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 7.6 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Rio Rancho, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87124 came on Feb 23 in 2026, 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 14), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Rio Rancho, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87124 is 14 h 32 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.