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

Planting zone for 87327 — Zuni, NM

ZIP code 87327 (Zuni, 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 October 2.

Where ZIP 87327 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 frostOct 2

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 Zuni, 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 Zuni, 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 13only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 2median — 10% chance by Sep 21

Growing season127 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 12 and returns around October 10.

From the NOAA station Zuni, NM — 3 miles away, elevation 6,313 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 87327

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 7 – Aug 21

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 18 – Oct 23

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 29) and first fall frost (Oct 2) 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 87327 came on Mar 2 — 21 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 23).

average
Mar 232026
Mar 2

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 Zuni, NM.

Soil in Zuni, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87327 is Penistaja — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH7.2neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Penistaja-Tintero complex, 1 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 87327; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Zuni, NM

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low16 °Faverage low, December

Hot days54days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights194nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,648base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 31 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 48 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation11.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall10 inper year; 4 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: Zuni, NM (3 mi away); precipitation: Zuni, NM (3 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.

873266a

Vanderwagen, NM · 15 mi

Jamestown, NM · 29 mi

873196a

Mentmore, NM · 29 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87327

What planting zone is ZIP code 87327?

ZIP code 87327 (Zuni, 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 Zuni, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87327 is May 29; after June 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Zuni station.

When is the first frost in Zuni, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87327 is October 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 127 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87327?

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 87327 get?

About 11.2 inches of precipitation a year and 10 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Zuni station).

How hot do summers get in Zuni, NM?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 54 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87327 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Penistaja at the center of ZIP 87327: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Zuni, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87327 came on Mar 2 in 2026, 21 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Zuni, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87327 is 14 h 31 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.