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

Planting zone for 87499 — Farmington, NM

ZIP code 87499 (Farmington, San Juan County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost October 15.

Where ZIP 87499 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 4

First frostOct 15

2012 zone6b

Was 6b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. 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 Farmington, 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 Farmington, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 4median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 21only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 15median — 10% chance by Oct 1

Growing season162 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 24 and returns around October 25.

From the NOAA station Otis, NM — 22 miles away, elevation 6,880 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 87499

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 13

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

TomatoesTransplant · May 11 – May 25

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 18 – Jun 1

BeansSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 20 – Sep 3

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 1 – Nov 5

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 4) and first fall frost (Oct 15) 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 87499 came on Mar 4 — 18 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 22).

average
Mar 222026
Mar 4

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 Farmington, NM.

Soil in Farmington, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87499 is Sheppard — loamy fine sand, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureLoamy fine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH8.2alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.2%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Sheppard-Huerfano-Notal complex, 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 87499; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Farmington, NM

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low19 °Faverage low, January

Hot days21days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights148nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,823base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 38 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 41 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation10.2 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: Otis, NM (22 mi away); precipitation: Kirtland 21.7 S, NM (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

874137a

Bloomfield, NM · 19 mi

874167a

Fruitland, NM · 22 mi

Sheep Springs, NM · 29 mi

873257a

Tohatchi, NM · 29 mi

874017a

Farmington, NM · 29 mi

874177a

Kirtland, NM · 31 mi

All 3 ZIP codes in Farmington → · New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87499

What planting zone is ZIP code 87499?

ZIP code 87499 (Farmington, 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 Farmington, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87499 is May 4; after May 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Otis station.

When is the first frost in Farmington, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87499 is October 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 162 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87499?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 9 – Mar 23 and set transplants outside around May 11 – May 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87499 get?

About 10.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Kirtland 21.7 S station).

How hot do summers get in Farmington, NM?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 21 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87499 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Sheppard at the center of ZIP 87499: loamy fine sand, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 8.2 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Farmington, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87499 came on Mar 4 in 2026, 18 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 22), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Farmington, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87499 is 14 h 38 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 87499 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 87499 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.