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

Planting zone for 87315 — Fence Lake, NM

ZIP code 87315 (Fence Lake, Cibola 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 October 1.

Where ZIP 87315 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 frostOct 1

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 Fence Lake, 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 Fence Lake, 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 15only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 1median — 10% chance by Sep 18

Growing season122 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 17 and returns around October 10.

From the NOAA station Fence Lake, NM — 7 miles away, elevation 7,064 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 87315

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 6 – Aug 20

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 17 – Oct 22

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 31) and first fall frost (Oct 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 87315 came on Mar 10 — 18 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 28).

average
Mar 282026
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 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 Fence Lake, NM.

Soil in Fence Lake, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87315 is Millpaw — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

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

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Millpaw-Loarc complex, 0 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 87315; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Fence Lake, NM

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July

Winter low16 °Faverage low, January

Hot days24days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights192nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,207base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 29 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 50 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation12.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall23 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Fence Lake, NM (7 mi away); precipitation: Fence Lake, NM (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Saint Johns, AZ · 42 mi

870206a

Grants, NM · 43 mi

873266a

Vanderwagen, NM · 46 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87315

What planting zone is ZIP code 87315?

ZIP code 87315 (Fence Lake, 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 Fence Lake, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87315 is May 31; after June 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Fence Lake station.

When is the first frost in Fence Lake, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87315 is October 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 122 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87315?

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 87315 get?

About 12.6 inches of precipitation a year and 23 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Fence Lake station).

How hot do summers get in Fence Lake, NM?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 24 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87315 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Millpaw at the center of ZIP 87315: loam, well drained, pH about 7.6 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Fence Lake, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87315 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 18 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 28), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Fence Lake, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87315 is 14 h 29 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.