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

Planting zone for 87513 — Arroyo Hondo, NM

ZIP code 87513 (Arroyo Hondo, Taos County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 31 and the first fall frost September 26.

Where ZIP 87513 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.

Zone5b−15 to −10 °F
Coldest night−26.1 to −23.3 °C
Last frostMay 31
First frostSep 26
2012 zone5b

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 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Arroyo Hondo, 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 Arroyo Hondo, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 31median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 13only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 26median — 10% chance by Sep 14
Growing season116 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 18 and returns around October 3.

From the NOAA station Cerro, NM — 12 miles away, elevation 7,651 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 87513

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 10
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 10 – May 24
Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 3 – May 17
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 10 – May 24
LettuceSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24
TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
TomatoesTransplant · Jun 7 – Jun 21
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 14 – Jun 28
BeansSow outdoors · Jun 7 – Jun 21
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 7 – Jun 21
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 7 – Jun 21
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 1 – Aug 15
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 12 – Oct 17
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 31) and first fall frost (Sep 26) 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 87513 came on Mar 13 — 23 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 5).

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 5b in New Mexico

481 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New Mexico, and rated by the USDA to survive −15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 25

Arizona cypress50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °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 °Fboxelder60 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °F

Shrubs 80

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 216

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 152

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 fescue2 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −23 °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 Arroyo Hondo, NM.

Soil in Arroyo Hondo, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87513 is Sedillo — gravelly loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly loama good balance for most vegetables
pH7.6slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Sedillo-Orthents association, 9 to 45 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 87513; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Arroyo Hondo, NM

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July
Winter low8 °Faverage low, January
Hot days6days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights206nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,747base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 40 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 39 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation14.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 37 °F, low 8 °F 37°8° JanFebruary: average high 42 °F, low 14 °F 42°14° FebMarch: average high 53 °F, low 21 °F 53°21° MarApril: average high 62 °F, low 27 °F 62°27° AprMay: average high 70 °F, low 35 °F 70°35° MayJune: average high 80 °F, low 44 °F 80°44° JunJuly: average high 83 °F, low 49 °F 83°49° JulAugust: average high 81 °F, low 48 °F 81°48° AugSeptember: average high 75 °F, low 41 °F 75°41° SepOctober: average high 65 °F, low 30 °F 65°30° OctNovember: average high 51 °F, low 19 °F 51°19° NovDecember: average high 38 °F, low 9 °F 38°9° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″January: 0.72 in precipitation 0.7 JanFebruary: 0.64 in precipitation 0.6 FebMarch: 0.91 in precipitation 0.9 MarApril: 1.15 in precipitation 1.1 AprMay: 1.26 in precipitation 1.3 MayJune: 0.87 in precipitation 0.9 JunJuly: 2.25 in precipitation 2.3 JulAugust: 2.22 in precipitation 2.2 AugSeptember: 1.69 in precipitation 1.7 SepOctober: 1.27 in precipitation 1.3 OctNovember: 0.94 in precipitation 0.9 NovDecember: 0.79 in precipitation 0.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Cerro, NM (12 mi away); precipitation: Arroyo Hondo 4.8 Wsw, NM (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

875645b
San Cristobal, NM · 5 mi
875145b
Arroyo Seco, NM · 7 mi
875805b
Valdez, NM · 7 mi
875295b
El Prado, NM · 10 mi
875256a
Taos Ski Valley, NM · 11 mi
875195b
Cerro, NM · 13 mi
875176a
Carson, NM · 14 mi
875586a
Red River, NM · 15 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87513

What planting zone is ZIP code 87513?

ZIP code 87513 (Arroyo Hondo, NM) is in USDA hardiness zone 5b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −15 to −10 °F (−26.1 to −23.3 °C).

When is the last frost in Arroyo Hondo, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87513 is May 31; after June 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cerro station.

When is the first frost in Arroyo Hondo, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87513 is September 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 116 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87513?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 5 – Apr 19 and set transplants outside around Jun 7 – Jun 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87513 get?

About 14.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Arroyo Hondo 4.8 Wsw station).

How hot do summers get in Arroyo Hondo, NM?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 6 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87513 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Sedillo at the center of ZIP 87513: gravelly loam, well drained, pH about 7.6 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Arroyo Hondo, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87513 came on Mar 13 in 2026, 23 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 5), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Arroyo Hondo, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87513 is 14 h 40 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.