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

Planting zone for 87420 — Shiprock, NM

ZIP code 87420 (Shiprock, San Juan County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost November 1.

Where ZIP 87420 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.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F

Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C

Last frostApr 11

First frostNov 1

2012 zone7a

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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Shiprock, 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 Shiprock, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 11median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 2only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 1median — 10% chance by Oct 16

Growing season200 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 26 and returns around November 9.

From the NOAA station Teec Nos Pos, AZ — 9 miles away, elevation 5,289 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 87420

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 21

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 21 – Apr 4

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 6 – Sep 20

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 18 – Nov 22

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 11) and first fall frost (Nov 1) 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 87420 came on Mar 1 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 12).

average
Mar 122026
Mar 1

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 7a in New Mexico

532 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New Mexico, and rated by the USDA to survive 0 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7a. 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 Shiprock, NM.

Soil in Shiprock, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87420 is Camac — very cobbly fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureVery cobbly fine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH8.2alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Camac-Kimbeto-Badland association, 0 to 50 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 87420; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Shiprock, NM

Summer high95 °Faverage high, July

Winter low24 °Faverage low, January

Hot days77days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights117nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,243base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 41 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 38 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation7.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall8 inper year; 3 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: Teec Nos Pos, AZ (9 mi away); precipitation: Fruitland, NM (34 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

865147a

Teec Nos Pos, AZ · 22 mi

874217a

Waterflow, NM · 23 mi

865447a

Red Valley, AZ · 25 mi

Montezuma Creek, UT · 30 mi

874167a

Fruitland, NM · 33 mi

813217a

Cortez, CO · 33 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87420

What planting zone is ZIP code 87420?

ZIP code 87420 (Shiprock, NM) is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 0 to 5 °F (−17.8 to −15 °C).

When is the last frost in Shiprock, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87420 is April 11; after May 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Teec Nos Pos station.

When is the first frost in Shiprock, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87420 is November 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 200 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87420?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 14 – Feb 28 and set transplants outside around Apr 18 – May 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87420 get?

About 7.3 inches of precipitation a year and 8 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Fruitland station).

How hot do summers get in Shiprock, NM?

The average high peaks at 95 °F in July, with about 77 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87420 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Camac at the center of ZIP 87420: very cobbly fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 8.2 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Shiprock, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87420 came on Mar 1 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Shiprock, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87420 is 14 h 41 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.