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

Planting zone for 87518 — Cebolla, NM

ZIP code 87518 (Cebolla, Rio Arriba County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is June 13 and the first fall frost September 18.

Where ZIP 87518 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 frostJun 13

First frostSep 18

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 Cebolla, 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 Cebolla, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostJune 13median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJuly 1only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 18median — 10% chance by Sep 5

Growing season94 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 28 and returns around September 26.

From the NOAA station El Vado Dam, NM — 11 miles away, elevation 6,739 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 87518

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16

SpinachSow outdoors · May 2 – May 23

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 23 – Jun 6

Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 16 – May 30

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6

LettuceSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 18 – May 2

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 20 – Jul 4

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 27 – Jul 11

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 20 – Jul 4

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 20 – Jul 4

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 20 – Jul 4

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 24 – Aug 7

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 4 – Oct 9

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 13) and first fall frost (Sep 18) 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 87518 came on Mar 23 — 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 11).

average
Apr 112026
Mar 23

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.

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 Cebolla, NM.

Soil in Cebolla, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87518 is Calendar — gravelly loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly loama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.9alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Calendar gravelly loam, 5 to 35 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 87518; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Cebolla, NM

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July

Winter low9 °Faverage low, January

Hot days17days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights218nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,650base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 39 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 40 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation14.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall22 inper year; 14 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: El Vado Dam, NM (11 mi away); precipitation: Canjilon R/S, NM (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

875755b

Tierra Amarilla, NM · 9 mi

Vallecitos, NM · 22 mi

875307a

El Rito, NM · 23 mi

870646b

Youngsville, NM · 23 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87518

What planting zone is ZIP code 87518?

ZIP code 87518 (Cebolla, 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 Cebolla, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87518 is June 13; after July 1 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, El Vado Dam station.

When is the first frost in Cebolla, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87518 is September 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 94 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87518?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 18 – May 2 and set transplants outside around Jun 20 – Jul 4, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87518 get?

About 14.5 inches of precipitation a year and 22 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Canjilon R/S station).

How hot do summers get in Cebolla, NM?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 17 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87518 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Calendar at the center of ZIP 87518: gravelly loam, well drained, pH about 7.9 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Cebolla, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87518 came on Mar 23 in 2026, 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 11), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Cebolla, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87518 is 14 h 39 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.