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

Planting zone for 87516 — Canones, NM

ZIP code 87516 (Canones, Rio Arriba County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost October 16.

Where ZIP 87516 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 frostApr 29

First frostOct 16

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 Canones, 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 Canones, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 29median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 17only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 16median — 10% chance by Oct 5

Growing season168 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 15 and returns around October 26.

From the NOAA station Abiquiu Dam, NM — 5 miles away, elevation 6,382 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 87516

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 8

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

TomatoesTransplant · May 6 – May 20

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 13 – May 27

BeansSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 21 – Sep 4

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 2 – Nov 6

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 29) and first fall frost (Oct 16) 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 87516 came on Mar 11 — 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 30).

average
Mar 302026
Mar 11

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 Canones, NM.

Soil in Canones, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87516 is Ortega Peak family # — extremely stony loam, well drained.

TextureExtremely stony loama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.2neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Ortega Peak family, very dry, 15 to 40 percent slopes, extremely stony.

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 87516; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Canones, NM

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low18 °Faverage low, January

Hot days34days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights147nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,821base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 37 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 42 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation10.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall11 inper year; 10 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Abiquiu Dam, NM (5 mi away); precipitation: Abiquiu Dam, NM (5 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.

870646b

Youngsville, NM · 4 mi

870126b

Coyote, NM · 11 mi

875377a

Hernandez, NM · 12 mi

875107a

Abiquiu, NM · 13 mi

875487a

Medanales, NM · 16 mi

Ohkay Owingeh, NM · 23 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87516

What planting zone is ZIP code 87516?

ZIP code 87516 (Canones, 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 Canones, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87516 is April 29; after May 17 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Abiquiu Dam station.

When is the first frost in Canones, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87516 is October 16, giving a median frost-free growing season of 168 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87516?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 4 – Mar 18 and set transplants outside around May 6 – May 20, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87516 get?

About 10.1 inches of precipitation a year and 11 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Abiquiu Dam station).

How hot do summers get in Canones, NM?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 34 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87516 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ortega Peak family # at the center of ZIP 87516: extremely stony loam, well drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Canones, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87516 came on Mar 11 in 2026, 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 30), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Canones, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87516 is 14 h 37 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 87516 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 87516 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.