Planting zone for 87512 — Amalia, NM
ZIP code 87512 (Amalia, Taos County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is June 19 and the first fall frost September 7.
Where ZIP 87512 is
Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoomNot 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.
Was 5b 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 6a means →
Frost forecast — next 7 nights
live from the National Weather ServiceLoading the forecast for Amalia, 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 Amalia, NM
A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around June 2 and returns around September 20.
From the NOAA station Red River, NM — 16 miles away, elevation 8,668 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 87512
Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 19) and first fall frost (Sep 7) 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 87512 came on May 21 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jun 1).
Jun 12026
May 21
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).
Soil in Amalia, NM
The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87512 is Penitente — cobbly loam, well drained.
Map unit: Rock outcrop-Penitente complex, very 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 87512; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.
Climate in Amalia, NM
Average high and low, by month
Precipitation by month inches
NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Red River, NM (16 mi away); precipitation: North Costilla, NM (6 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.
Questions about 87512
What planting zone is ZIP code 87512?
ZIP code 87512 (Amalia, NM) is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −10 to −5 °F (−23.3 to −20.6 °C).
When is the last frost in Amalia, NM?
The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87512 is June 19; after July 3 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Red River station.
When is the first frost in Amalia, NM?
The median first fall frost near 87512 is September 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 77 days.
When should I plant tomatoes in 87512?
Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 24 – May 8 and set transplants outside around Jun 26 – Jul 10, one to three weeks after the median last frost.
How much rain and snow does 87512 get?
About 26 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, North Costilla station).
How hot do summers get in Amalia, NM?
The average high peaks at 75 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.
What kind of soil does 87512 have?
The USDA soil survey maps Penitente at the center of ZIP 87512: cobbly loam, well drained, pH about 5.6 (moderately acidic).
Did spring come early in Amalia, NM in 2026?
Spring leaf-out near 87512 came on May 21 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jun 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.
What kind of onions grow in Amalia, NM?
Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87512 is 14 h 42 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.
Did the zone for 87512 change?
Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 87512 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.