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

Planting zone for 87313 — Crownpoint, NM

ZIP code 87313 (Crownpoint, McKinley County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 28 and the first fall frost September 27.

Where ZIP 87313 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 28

First frostSep 27

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 Crownpoint, 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 Crownpoint, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 28median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostSeptember 27median — 10% chance by Sep 13

Growing season120 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 15 and returns around October 3.

From the NOAA station Chaco Canyon Natl Mon, NM — 24 miles away, elevation 6,175 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 87313

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 16 – May 7

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 7 – May 21

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 7 – May 21

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 4 – Jun 18

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 11 – Jun 25

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 4 – Jun 18

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 4 – Jun 18

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 4 – Jun 18

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 2 – Aug 16

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 13 – Oct 18

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 28) and first fall frost (Sep 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 87313 came on Mar 10 — 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 25).

average
Mar 252026
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 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 Crownpoint, NM.

Soil in Crownpoint, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87313 is Notal — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH9.1alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Notal-Hamburn complex, 0 to 2 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 87313; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Crownpoint, NM

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low13 °Faverage low, January

Hot days43days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights184nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,545base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 35 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 44 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation8.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall11 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Chaco Canyon Natl Mon, NM (24 mi away); precipitation: Chaco Canyon Natl Mon, NM (24 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.

873656a

Smith Lake, NM · 19 mi

873116b

Church Rock, NM · 21 mi

Continental Divide, NM · 26 mi

873166a

Fort Wingate, NM · 27 mi

870456a

Prewitt, NM · 30 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87313

What planting zone is ZIP code 87313?

ZIP code 87313 (Crownpoint, 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 Crownpoint, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87313 is May 28; after June 14 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Chaco Canyon Natl Mon station.

When is the first frost in Crownpoint, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87313 is September 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 120 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87313?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 2 – Apr 16 and set transplants outside around Jun 4 – Jun 18, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87313 get?

About 8.9 inches of precipitation a year and 11 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Chaco Canyon Natl Mon station).

How hot do summers get in Crownpoint, NM?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 43 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87313 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Notal at the center of ZIP 87313: loam, well drained, pH about 9.1 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Crownpoint, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87313 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 25), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Crownpoint, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87313 is 14 h 35 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.