Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 30, 2026

Planting zone for 87418 — La Plata, NM

ZIP code 87418 (La Plata, San Juan County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost October 6.

Where ZIP 87418 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 12

First frostOct 6

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 La Plata, 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 La Plata, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 12median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 30only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 6median — 10% chance by Sep 24

Growing season147 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 30 and returns around October 15.

From the NOAA station Aztec Ruins Nm, NM — 12 miles away, elevation 5,643 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 87418

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 21

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

TomatoesTransplant · May 19 – Jun 2

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 26 – Jun 9

BeansSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 11 – Aug 25

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 22 – Oct 27

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 12) and first fall frost (Oct 6) 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 87418 came on Mar 11 — 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 26).

average
Mar 262026
Mar 11

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 La Plata, NM.

Soil in La Plata, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87418 is Doak — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.9alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.55%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Doak-Avalon association, gently sloping.

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 87418; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in La Plata, NM

Summer high94 °Faverage high, July

Winter low17 °Faverage low, January

Hot days61days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights158nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,277base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 42 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 37 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation14.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Aztec Ruins Nm, NM (12 mi away); precipitation: Hesperus 14.1 Ssw, CO (10 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

874156b

Flora Vista, NM · 9 mi

813296a

Marvel, CO · 10 mi

874027a

Farmington, NM · 11 mi

813266a

Hesperus, CO · 14 mi

874017a

Farmington, NM · 15 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87418

What planting zone is ZIP code 87418?

ZIP code 87418 (La Plata, 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 La Plata, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87418 is May 12; after May 30 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Aztec Ruins Nm station.

When is the first frost in La Plata, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87418 is October 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 147 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87418?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 17 – Mar 31 and set transplants outside around May 19 – Jun 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87418 get?

About 14.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hesperus 14.1 Ssw station).

How hot do summers get in La Plata, NM?

The average high peaks at 94 °F in July, with about 61 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87418 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Doak at the center of ZIP 87418: loam, well drained, pH about 7.9 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in La Plata, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87418 came on Mar 11 in 2026, 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 26), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in La Plata, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87418 is 14 h 42 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.