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

Planting zone for 87323 — Thoreau, NM

ZIP code 87323 (Thoreau, McKinley County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 29 and the first fall frost September 26.

Where ZIP 87323 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 29

First frostSep 26

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 Thoreau, 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 Thoreau, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 29median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 12only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 26median — 10% chance by Sep 13

Growing season118 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station Thoreau 12 Se, NM — 11 miles away, elevation 7,425 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 87323

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 8

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 8 – May 22

Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 1 – May 15

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 8 – May 22

LettuceSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 5 – Jun 19

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 12 – Jun 26

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 5 – Jun 19

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 5 – Jun 19

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 5 – Jun 19

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 1 – Aug 15

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 12 – Oct 17

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 29) and first fall frost (Sep 26) 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 87323 came on Mar 19 — 18 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 6).

average
Apr 62026
Mar 19

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 Thoreau, NM.

Soil in Thoreau, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87323 is Vessilla — fine sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH7.5slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Rock outcrop-Vessilla complex, 35 to 70 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 87323; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Thoreau, NM

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low12 °Faverage low, January

Hot days13days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights205nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,435base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 33 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

Precipitation12.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall31 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Thoreau 12 Se, NM (11 mi away); precipitation: Thoreau 12 Se, NM (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

873656a

Smith Lake, NM · 6 mi

873126a

Continental Divide, NM · 9 mi

870456a

Prewitt, NM · 10 mi

873476a

Jamestown, NM · 16 mi

870056a

Bluewater, NM · 17 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87323

What planting zone is ZIP code 87323?

ZIP code 87323 (Thoreau, 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 Thoreau, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87323 is May 29; after June 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Thoreau 12 Se station.

When is the first frost in Thoreau, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87323 is September 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 118 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87323?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 3 – Apr 17 and set transplants outside around Jun 5 – Jun 19, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87323 get?

About 12.3 inches of precipitation a year and 31 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Thoreau 12 Se station).

How hot do summers get in Thoreau, NM?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 13 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87323 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Vessilla at the center of ZIP 87323: fine sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 7.5 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Thoreau, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87323 came on Mar 19 in 2026, 18 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Thoreau, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87323 is 14 h 33 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.