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

Planting zone for 87528 — Dulce, NM

ZIP code 87528 (Dulce, Rio Arriba County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is June 9 and the first fall frost September 22.

Where ZIP 87528 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 9

First frostSep 22

2012 zone5a

Was 5a 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 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Dulce, 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 Dulce, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostJune 9median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 27only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 22median — 10% chance by Sep 10

Growing season103 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 23 and returns around September 30.

From the NOAA station Dulce, NM — 12 miles away, elevation 6,795 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 87528

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 19

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 19 – Jun 2

Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 12 – May 26

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2

LettuceSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 16 – Jun 30

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 23 – Jul 7

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 16 – Jun 30

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 16 – Jun 30

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 16 – Jun 30

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 28 – Aug 11

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 8 – Oct 13

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 9) and first fall frost (Sep 22) 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 87528 came on Mar 23 — 25 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 17).

average
Apr 172026
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 Dulce, NM.

Soil in Dulce, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87528 is Wilmac — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Wilmac-Hosta-Millpaw complex, 1 to 10 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 87528; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Dulce, NM

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low10 °Faverage low, January

Hot days23days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights217nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,010base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 41 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 38 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation17.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall56 inper year; 67 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: Dulce, NM (12 mi away); precipitation: Dulce, NM (12 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Tierra Amarilla, NM · 19 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87528

What planting zone is ZIP code 87528?

ZIP code 87528 (Dulce, 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 Dulce, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87528 is June 9; after June 27 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dulce station.

When is the first frost in Dulce, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87528 is September 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 103 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87528?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 14 – Apr 28 and set transplants outside around Jun 16 – Jun 30, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87528 get?

About 17.4 inches of precipitation a year and 56 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dulce station).

How hot do summers get in Dulce, NM?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 23 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87528 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Wilmac at the center of ZIP 87528: loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Dulce, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87528 came on Mar 23 in 2026, 25 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 17), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Dulce, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87528 is 14 h 41 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 87528 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 87528 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.