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

Planting zone for 87305 — Gallup, NM

ZIP code 87305 (Gallup, McKinley County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 31 and the first fall frost September 28.

Where ZIP 87305 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.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F

Coldest night−23.3 to −20.6 °C

Last frostMay 31

First frostSep 28

2012 zone6a

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 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Gallup, 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 Gallup, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 31median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 14only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 28median — 10% chance by Sep 17

Growing season119 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 17 and returns around October 5.

From the NOAA station Gallup Municipal Airport, NM — 9 miles away, elevation 6,470 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 87305

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 10

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 10 – May 24

Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 3 – May 17

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 10 – May 24

LettuceSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 7 – Jun 21

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 14 – Jun 28

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 7 – Jun 21

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 7 – Jun 21

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 7 – Jun 21

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 3 – Aug 17

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 14 – Oct 19

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 31) and first fall frost (Sep 28) 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 87305 came on Mar 13 — 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 29).

average
Mar 292026
Mar 13

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 6a in New Mexico

511 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 6a. 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 Gallup, NM.

Soil in Gallup, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87305 is Toldohn — gravelly clay loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH7.2neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Toldohn-Vessilla-Rock outcrop complex, 8 to 35 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 87305; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Gallup, NM

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low14 °Faverage low, January

Hot days35days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights198nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,445base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 33 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

Precipitation14.1 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: Gallup Municipal Airport, NM (9 mi away); precipitation: Gallup 1.0 Sse, NM (7 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.

Vanderwagen, NM · 12 mi

Fort Wingate, NM · 13 mi

873476a

Jamestown, NM · 15 mi

All 3 ZIP codes in Gallup → · New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87305

What planting zone is ZIP code 87305?

ZIP code 87305 (Gallup, NM) is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −10 to −5 °F (−23.3 to −20.6 °C).

When is the last frost in Gallup, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87305 is May 31; after June 14 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Gallup Municipal Airport station.

When is the first frost in Gallup, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87305 is September 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 119 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87305?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 5 – Apr 19 and set transplants outside around Jun 7 – Jun 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87305 get?

About 14.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Gallup 1.0 Sse station).

How hot do summers get in Gallup, NM?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 35 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87305 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Toldohn at the center of ZIP 87305: gravelly clay loam, well drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Gallup, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87305 came on Mar 13 in 2026, 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 29), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Gallup, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87305 is 14 h 33 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.