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

Planting zone for 87539 — La Madera, NM

ZIP code 87539 (La Madera, Rio Arriba County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 15 and the first fall frost October 7.

Where ZIP 87539 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.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F

Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C

Last frostMay 15

First frostOct 7

2012 zone6a

Was 6a 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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for La Madera, 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 La Madera, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 15median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 4only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 7median — 10% chance by Sep 23

Growing season143 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 2 and returns around October 15.

From the NOAA station El Rito, NM — 12 miles away, elevation 6,870 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 87539

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 24

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 24 – May 8

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

TomatoesTransplant · May 22 – Jun 5

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 29 – Jun 12

BeansSow outdoors · May 22 – Jun 5

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 22 – Jun 5

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 22 – Jun 5

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 12 – Aug 26

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 23 – Oct 28

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 15) and first fall frost (Oct 7) 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 87539 came on Mar 12 — 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 31).

average
Mar 312026
Mar 12

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 6b in New Mexico

515 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New Mexico, and rated by the USDA to survive −5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6b. 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 La Madera, NM.

Soil in La Madera, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87539 is La Madera family # — very gravelly sandy loam, well drained.

TextureVery gravelly sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH7.2neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: La Madera family very gravelly sandy loam, dry, 0 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 87539; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in La Madera, NM

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July

Winter low18 °Faverage low, January

Hot days17days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights167nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,277base 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

Precipitation12.5 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: El Rito, NM (12 mi away); precipitation: Alcalde 19 N, NM (4 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.

875497a

Ojo Caliente, NM · 6 mi

Vallecitos, NM · 13 mi

Tres Piedras, NM · 18 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87539

What planting zone is ZIP code 87539?

ZIP code 87539 (La Madera, NM) is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −5 to 0 °F (−20.6 to −17.8 °C).

When is the last frost in La Madera, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87539 is May 15; after June 4 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, El Rito station.

When is the first frost in La Madera, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87539 is October 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 143 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87539?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 20 – Apr 3 and set transplants outside around May 22 – Jun 5, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87539 get?

About 12.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Alcalde 19 N station).

How hot do summers get in La Madera, NM?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 17 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87539 have?

The USDA soil survey maps La Madera family # at the center of ZIP 87539: very gravelly sandy loam, well drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in La Madera, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87539 came on Mar 12 in 2026, 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 31), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in La Madera, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87539 is 14 h 39 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 87539 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 87539 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.