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

Planting zone for 87311 — Church Rock, NM

ZIP code 87311 (Church Rock, McKinley County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost October 7.

Where ZIP 87311 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.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F

Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C

Last frostMay 11

First frostOct 7

2012 zone6b

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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Church Rock, 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 Church Rock, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 11median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 26only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 7median — 10% chance by Sep 27

Growing season148 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 29 and returns around October 17.

From the NOAA station Gallup Sand & Gravel, NM — 12 miles away, elevation 6,578 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 87311

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 20

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 20 – May 4

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

TomatoesTransplant · May 18 – Jun 1

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 25 – Jun 8

BeansSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 12 – Aug 26

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 23 – Oct 28

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 11) and first fall frost (Oct 7) 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 87311 came on Mar 14 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 28).

average
Mar 282026
Mar 14

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 6b in New Mexico

515 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 6b. 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 Church Rock, NM.

Soil in Church Rock, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87311 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 87311; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Church Rock, NM

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July

Winter low16 °Faverage low, January

Hot days29days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights166nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,601base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 34 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 45 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation12.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall21 inper year; 24 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: Gallup Sand & Gravel, NM (12 mi away); precipitation: Gallup Sand & Gravel, NM (12 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

873166a

Fort Wingate, NM · 8 mi

Continental Divide, NM · 15 mi

873476a

Jamestown, NM · 15 mi

873016a

Gallup, NM · 16 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87311

What planting zone is ZIP code 87311?

ZIP code 87311 (Church Rock, NM) is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −5 to 0 °F (−20.6 to −17.8 °C).

When is the last frost in Church Rock, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87311 is May 11; after May 26 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Gallup Sand & Gravel station.

When is the first frost in Church Rock, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87311 is October 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 148 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87311?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 16 – Mar 30 and set transplants outside around May 18 – Jun 1, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87311 get?

About 12.5 inches of precipitation a year and 21 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Gallup Sand & Gravel station).

How hot do summers get in Church Rock, NM?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 29 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87311 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Toldohn at the center of ZIP 87311: gravelly clay loam, well drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Church Rock, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87311 came on Mar 14 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 28), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Church Rock, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87311 is 14 h 34 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.