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

Planting zone for 87524 — Costilla, NM

ZIP code 87524 (Costilla, Taos County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 31 and the first fall frost September 26.

Where ZIP 87524 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.

Zone5a−20 to −15 °F

Coldest night−28.9 to −26.1 °C

Last frostMay 31

First frostSep 26

2012 zone5a

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 5a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Costilla, 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 Costilla, 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 — 16 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 87524

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 87524 came on Mar 23 — 22 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 14).

average
Apr 142026
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 5a in New Mexico

468 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New Mexico, and rated by the USDA to survive −20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5a. 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 Costilla, NM.

Soil in Costilla, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87524 is Tenorio — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Tenorio loam, 0 to 3 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 87524; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Costilla, 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 42 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 37 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation14.6 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: Cerro, NM (16 mi away); precipitation: San Luis 8.8 Sw, CO (8 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.

Red River, NM · 21 mi

811515a

Sanford, CO · 21 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87524

What planting zone is ZIP code 87524?

ZIP code 87524 (Costilla, NM) is in USDA hardiness zone 5a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −20 to −15 °F (−28.9 to −26.1 °C).

When is the last frost in Costilla, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87524 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 Costilla, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87524 is September 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 116 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87524?

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 87524 get?

About 14.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, San Luis 8.8 Sw station).

How hot do summers get in Costilla, 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 87524 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Tenorio at the center of ZIP 87524: loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Costilla, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87524 came on Mar 23 in 2026, 22 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 14), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Costilla, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87524 is 14 h 42 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.