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

Planting zone for 87412 — Blanco, NM

ZIP code 87412 (Blanco, San Juan County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost October 19.

Where ZIP 87412 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 frostApr 27

First frostOct 19

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 Blanco, 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 Blanco, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 27median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 9only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 19median — 10% chance by Oct 5

Growing season174 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 16 and returns around October 29.

From the NOAA station Navajo Dam, NM — 12 miles away, elevation 5,771 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 87412

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Apr 6

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 6 – Apr 20

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

TomatoesTransplant · May 4 – May 18

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 11 – May 25

BeansSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 24 – Sep 7

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 5 – Nov 9

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 27) and first fall frost (Oct 19) 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 87412 came on Mar 13 — 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 28).

average
Mar 282026
Mar 13

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 Blanco, NM.

Soil in Blanco, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87412 is Vessilla — sandy loam, well drained.

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

pH7.8slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Vessilla-Menefee-Orlie complex, 1 to 30 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 87412; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Blanco, NM

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July

Winter low21 °Faverage low, January

Hot days57days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights141nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,382base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 40 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 39 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation12.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall8 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: Navajo Dam, NM (12 mi away); precipitation: Navajo Dam, NM (12 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.

874196b

Navajo Dam, NM · 20 mi

874106b

Aztec, NM · 24 mi

874137a

Bloomfield, NM · 26 mi

Flora Vista, NM · 33 mi

870376b

Nageezi, NM · 34 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87412

What planting zone is ZIP code 87412?

ZIP code 87412 (Blanco, 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 Blanco, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87412 is April 27; after May 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Navajo Dam station.

When is the first frost in Blanco, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87412 is October 19, giving a median frost-free growing season of 174 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87412?

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

How much rain and snow does 87412 get?

About 12.1 inches of precipitation a year and 8 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Navajo Dam station).

How hot do summers get in Blanco, NM?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 57 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87412 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Vessilla at the center of ZIP 87412: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 7.8 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Blanco, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87412 came on Mar 13 in 2026, 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 28), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Blanco, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87412 is 14 h 40 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.