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

Planting zone for 87419 — Navajo Dam, NM

ZIP code 87419 (Navajo Dam, 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 87419 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 Navajo Dam, 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 Navajo Dam, 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 — 8 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 87419

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 87419 came on Mar 10 — 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 29).

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.

Trees 28

Arizona cypress50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °FArizona sycamore80 ft · blooms early spring · high shade tolerance · to −8 °FArizona walnut50 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −33 °Fblack locust60 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −37 °Fblack walnut100 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Fblue spruce100 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Shrubs 95

alderleaf mountain mahogany15 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −41 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican plum24 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican tarwort3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −23 °Fantelope bitterbrush6 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −36 °FApache plume6 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −23 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 225

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine bistort1 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine mountainsorrel1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °FAmerican alpine speedwell1 ft · blooms summer · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican bistort1.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Grasses 159

alkali cordgrass3 ft · blooms late summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falkali sacaton3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine timothy1.4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °Fanalogue sedge1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Farctic bluegrass2 ft · high shade tolerance · to −62 °FArizona cottontop4 ft · blooms late summer · high shade tolerance · to −13 °F

Vines 1

western white clematis1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °F

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 Navajo Dam, NM.

Soil in Navajo Dam, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87419 is Travessilla — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH7.9alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.2%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Rock outcrop-Travessilla-Weska complex, extremely steep.

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 87419; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Navajo Dam, 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 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
Precipitation12.1 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall8 inper year; 4 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 42 °F, low 21 °F 42°21° JanFebruary: average high 48 °F, low 24 °F 48°24° FebMarch: average high 59 °F, low 30 °F 59°30° MarApril: average high 67 °F, low 36 °F 67°36° AprMay: average high 76 °F, low 46 °F 76°46° MayJune: average high 88 °F, low 54 °F 88°54° JunJuly: average high 92 °F, low 61 °F 92°61° JulAugust: average high 89 °F, low 60 °F 89°60° AugSeptember: average high 82 °F, low 52 °F 82°52° SepOctober: average high 69 °F, low 40 °F 69°40° OctNovember: average high 53 °F, low 29 °F 53°29° NovDecember: average high 41 °F, low 22 °F 41°22° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″January: 0.88 in precipitation, 2.8 in snowfall 0.9❄3 JanFebruary: 0.74 in precipitation, 1.6 in snowfall 0.7❄2 FebMarch: 0.83 in precipitation, 0.3 in snowfall 0.8 MarApril: 0.86 in precipitation 0.9 AprMay: 0.76 in precipitation 0.8 MayJune: 0.43 in precipitation 0.4 JunJuly: 1.69 in precipitation 1.7 JulAugust: 1.39 in precipitation 1.4 AugSeptember: 1.41 in precipitation 1.4 SepOctober: 1.12 in precipitation, 0.5 in snowfall 1.1❄1 OctNovember: 0.92 in precipitation, 0.4 in snowfall 0.9 NovDecember: 1.05 in precipitation, 2.1 in snowfall 1.1❄2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Navajo Dam, NM (8 mi away); precipitation: Navajo Dam, NM (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

811376a
Ignacio, CO · 9 mi
811216b
Arboles, CO · 14 mi
874106b
Aztec, NM · 15 mi
813036b
Durango, CO · 18 mi
874126b
Blanco, NM · 20 mi
874156b
Flora Vista, NM · 26 mi
811226a
Bayfield, CO · 27 mi
813026b
Durango, CO · 28 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87419

What planting zone is ZIP code 87419?

ZIP code 87419 (Navajo Dam, 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 Navajo Dam, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87419 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 Navajo Dam, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87419 is October 19, giving a median frost-free growing season of 174 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87419?

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 87419 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 Navajo Dam, 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 87419 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Travessilla at the center of ZIP 87419: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 7.9 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Navajo Dam, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87419 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 29), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Navajo Dam, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87419 is 14 h 42 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.