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

Planting zone for 87522 — Chimayo, NM

ZIP code 87522 (Chimayo, Rio Arriba County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost October 6.

Where ZIP 87522 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 11

First frostOct 6

2012 zone6a

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 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Chimayo, 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 Chimayo, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 11median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 26only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 6median — 10% chance by Sep 25

Growing season149 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 30 and returns around October 16.

From the NOAA station Espanola, NM — 12 miles away, elevation 5,620 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 87522

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 20

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 20 – May 4

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

TomatoesTransplant · May 18 – Jun 1

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 25 – Jun 8

BeansSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 11 – Aug 25

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 22 – Oct 27

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 11) and first fall frost (Oct 6) 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 87522 came on Mar 20 — 25 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 14).

average
Apr 142026
Mar 20

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 Chimayo, NM.

Soil in Chimayo, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87522 is Ligocki family — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter75%high

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Ligocki family, 15 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 87522; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Chimayo, NM

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low16 °Faverage low, January

Hot days51days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights174nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,923base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 36 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 43 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation20.2 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: Espanola, NM (12 mi away); precipitation: Truchas 1.4 Ese, NM (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Santa Cruz, NM · 10 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87522

What planting zone is ZIP code 87522?

ZIP code 87522 (Chimayo, 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 Chimayo, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87522 is May 11; after May 26 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Espanola station.

When is the first frost in Chimayo, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87522 is October 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 149 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87522?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 16 – Mar 30 and set transplants outside around May 18 – Jun 1, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87522 get?

About 20.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Truchas 1.4 Ese station).

How hot do summers get in Chimayo, NM?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 51 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87522 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ligocki family at the center of ZIP 87522: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Chimayo, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87522 came on Mar 20 in 2026, 25 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 14), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Chimayo, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87522 is 14 h 36 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.