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

Planting zone for 87421 — Waterflow, NM

ZIP code 87421 (Waterflow, San Juan County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost October 4.

Where ZIP 87421 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 frostMay 12
First frostOct 4
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 Waterflow, 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 Waterflow, 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 29only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 4median — 10% chance by Sep 21
Growing season143 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 29 and returns around October 15.

From the NOAA station Fruitland, NM — 11 miles away, elevation 5,131 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 87421

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 9 – Aug 23
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 20 – Oct 25
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 12) and first fall frost (Oct 4) 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 87421 came on Mar 2 — 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 18).

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.

Trees 29

Arizona cypress50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °FArizona madrone30 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −4 °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 °F

Shrubs 103

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 229

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 163

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 Waterflow, NM.

Soil in Waterflow, NM

The center of ZIP 87421 is mapped as Badland: built-over ground without natural soil data. Garden soil here is usually imported or disturbed — test before you plant.

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 87421; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Waterflow, NM

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July
Winter low16 °Faverage low, January
Hot days62days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights156nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,963base 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

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 43 °F, low 16 °F 43°16° JanFebruary: average high 51 °F, low 18 °F 51°18° FebMarch: average high 60 °F, low 26 °F 60°26° MarApril: average high 68 °F, low 31 °F 68°31° AprMay: average high 78 °F, low 40 °F 78°40° MayJune: average high 88 °F, low 49 °F 88°49° JunJuly: average high 92 °F, low 57 °F 92°57° JulAugust: average high 89 °F, low 56 °F 89°56° AugSeptember: average high 82 °F, low 47 °F 82°47° SepOctober: average high 70 °F, low 34 °F 70°34° OctNovember: average high 56 °F, low 22 °F 56°22° NovDecember: average high 44 °F, low 16 °F 44°16° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″January: 0.59 in precipitation, 1.9 in snowfall 0.6❄2 JanFebruary: 0.53 in precipitation, 2.1 in snowfall 0.5❄2 FebMarch: 0.49 in precipitation, 0.7 in snowfall 0.5❄1 MarApril: 0.53 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 0.5 AprMay: 0.34 in precipitation 0.3 MayJune: 0.16 in precipitation 0.2 JunJuly: 0.73 in precipitation 0.7 JulAugust: 1.03 in precipitation 1.0 AugSeptember: 0.95 in precipitation 0.9 SepOctober: 0.84 in precipitation, 0.5 in snowfall 0.8❄1 OctNovember: 0.53 in precipitation, 0.9 in snowfall 0.5❄1 NovDecember: 0.62 in precipitation, 1.5 in snowfall 0.6❄2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Fruitland, NM (11 mi away); precipitation: Fruitland, NM (11 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.

874177a
Kirtland, NM · 10 mi
874167a
Fruitland, NM · 14 mi
874017a
Farmington, NM · 19 mi
874027a
Farmington, NM · 21 mi
874207a
Shiprock, NM · 23 mi
874156b
Flora Vista, NM · 24 mi
874186b
La Plata, NM · 24 mi
813347a
Towaoc, CO · 26 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87421

What planting zone is ZIP code 87421?

ZIP code 87421 (Waterflow, 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 Waterflow, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87421 is May 12; after May 29 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Fruitland station.

When is the first frost in Waterflow, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87421 is October 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 143 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87421?

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 87421 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 Waterflow, NM?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 62 days a year at 90 °F or more.

Did spring come early in Waterflow, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87421 came on Mar 2 in 2026, 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Waterflow, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87421 is 14 h 41 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.