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

Planting zone for 87185 — Albuquerque, NM

ZIP code 87185 (Albuquerque, Bernalillo County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost October 24.

Where ZIP 87185 is

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.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F
Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C
Last frostApr 18
First frostOct 24
2012 zone7b

Was 7b 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 8a 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 18median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 3only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 24median — 10% chance by Oct 13
Growing season189 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 31 and returns around November 2.

From the NOAA station Albuquerque Valley, NM — 2 miles away, elevation 4,954 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 87185

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 28
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 28 – Apr 11
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 2 – May 16
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 29 – Sep 12
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 10 – Nov 14
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 18) and first fall frost (Oct 24) 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 87185 came on Feb 15 — 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (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 8a in New Mexico

542 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New Mexico, and rated by the USDA to survive 10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8a. 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 104

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 232

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 167

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 87185 is Glendale — clay loam, well drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH7.6slightly alkaline; 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: Glendale clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes MLRA 42.1.

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 87185; 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 low22 °Faverage low, January
Hot days69days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights126nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,935base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 31 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 48 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 51 °F, low 22 °F 51°22° JanFebruary: average high 57 °F, low 27 °F 57°27° FebMarch: average high 66 °F, low 33 °F 66°33° MarApril: average high 72 °F, low 40 °F 72°40° AprMay: average high 81 °F, low 48 °F 81°48° MayJune: average high 91 °F, low 57 °F 91°57° JunJuly: average high 93 °F, low 63 °F 93°63° JulAugust: average high 90 °F, low 62 °F 90°62° AugSeptember: average high 83 °F, low 54 °F 83°54° SepOctober: average high 72 °F, low 41 °F 72°41° OctNovember: average high 60 °F, low 30 °F 60°30° NovDecember: average high 50 °F, low 22 °F 50°22° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″January: 0.42 in precipitation 0.4 JanFebruary: 0.45 in precipitation 0.5 FebMarch: 0.50 in precipitation 0.5 MarApril: 0.57 in precipitation 0.6 AprMay: 0.46 in precipitation 0.5 MayJune: 0.63 in precipitation 0.6 JunJuly: 1.78 in precipitation 1.8 JulAugust: 1.87 in precipitation 1.9 AugSeptember: 1.40 in precipitation 1.4 SepOctober: 1.09 in precipitation 1.1 OctNovember: 0.62 in precipitation 0.6 NovDecember: 0.65 in precipitation 0.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Albuquerque Valley, NM (2 mi away); precipitation: Albuquerque 4.3 Ssw, NM (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

871037b
Albuquerque, NM · <1 mi
871198a
Albuquerque, NM · <1 mi
871257b
Albuquerque, NM · <1 mi
871537b
Albuquerque, NM · <1 mi
871547b
Albuquerque, NM · <1 mi
871767b
Albuquerque, NM · <1 mi
871817b
Albuquerque, NM · <1 mi
871847b
Albuquerque, NM · <1 mi

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

Questions about 87185

What planting zone is ZIP code 87185?

ZIP code 87185 (Albuquerque, NM) is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 10 to 15 °F (−12.2 to −9.4 °C).

When is the last frost in Albuquerque, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87185 is April 18; after May 3 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Albuquerque Valley station.

When is the first frost in Albuquerque, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87185 is October 24, giving a median frost-free growing season of 189 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87185?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 21 – Mar 7 and set transplants outside around Apr 25 – May 9, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87185 get?

About 10.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Albuquerque 4.3 Ssw station).

How hot do summers get in Albuquerque, NM?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in July, with about 69 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87185 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Glendale at the center of ZIP 87185: clay loam, well drained, pH about 7.6 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Albuquerque, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87185 came on Feb 15 in 2026, 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Albuquerque, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87185 is 14 h 31 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 87185 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 87185 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.