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

Planting zone for 87515 — Canjilon, NM

ZIP code 87515 (Canjilon, Rio Arriba County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 20 and the first fall frost October 4.

Where ZIP 87515 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.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F

Coldest night−23.3 to −20.6 °C

Last frostMay 20

First frostOct 4

2012 zone5b

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 Service

Loading the forecast for Canjilon, 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 Canjilon, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 20median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 4only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 4median — 10% chance by Sep 21

Growing season135 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 7 and returns around October 14.

From the NOAA station Brazos Lodge, NM — 14 miles away, elevation 8,006 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 87515

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 29

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

TomatoesTransplant · May 27 – Jun 10

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 3 – Jun 17

BeansSow outdoors · May 27 – Jun 10

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 27 – Jun 10

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 27 – Jun 10

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 20) 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 87515 came on Mar 26 — 35 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 30).

average
Apr 302026
Mar 26

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 6a in New Mexico

511 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New Mexico, and rated by the USDA to survive −10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6a. 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 Canjilon, NM.

Soil in Canjilon, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87515 is Udic Haplustalfs — moderately decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH5.6moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter85%high

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Udic Haplustalfs, Typic Dystrustepts, and Pachic Hapludolls soils, frigid, 0 to 40 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 87515; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Canjilon, NM

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July

Winter low14 °Faverage low, January

Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights196nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,672base 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

Precipitation23.4 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: Brazos Lodge, NM (14 mi away); precipitation: Bateman, NM (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

875185b

Cebolla, NM · 10 mi

875816b

Vallecitos, NM · 13 mi

875755b

Tierra Amarilla, NM · 13 mi

Tres Piedras, NM · 22 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87515

What planting zone is ZIP code 87515?

ZIP code 87515 (Canjilon, 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 Canjilon, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87515 is May 20; after June 4 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Brazos Lodge station.

When is the first frost in Canjilon, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87515 is October 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 135 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87515?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 25 – Apr 8 and set transplants outside around May 27 – Jun 10, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87515 get?

About 23.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bateman station).

How hot do summers get in Canjilon, NM?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 2 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87515 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Udic Haplustalfs at the center of ZIP 87515: moderately decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 5.6 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Canjilon, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87515 came on Mar 26 in 2026, 35 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 30), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Canjilon, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87515 is 14 h 40 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 87515 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 87515 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.