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

Planting zone for 87547 — White Rock, NM

ZIP code 87547 (White Rock, Los Alamos County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost October 12.

Where ZIP 87547 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.

Zone7b5 to 10 °F

Coldest night−15 to −12.2 °C

Last frostMay 2

First frostOct 12

2012 zone6b

Was 6b on the 2012 map — a full zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for White Rock, 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 White Rock, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 2median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 17only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 12median — 10% chance by Oct 1

Growing season162 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 20 and returns around October 23.

From the NOAA station Los Alamos, NM — 7 miles away, elevation 7,425 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 87547

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 11

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

TomatoesTransplant · May 9 – May 23

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 16 – May 30

BeansSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 17 – Aug 31

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 28 – Nov 2

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 2) and first fall frost (Oct 12) 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 87547 came on Mar 1 — 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 14).

average
Mar 142026
Mar 1

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 7b in New Mexico

535 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 7b. 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 White Rock, NM.

Soil in White Rock, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87547 is Prieta — stony silt loam, well drained.

TextureStony silt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.85%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Rock outcrop-Prieta complex, 3 to 15 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 87547; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in White Rock, NM

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July

Winter low21 °Faverage low, January

Hot days5days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights150nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,451base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 35 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 44 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation14.3 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: Los Alamos, NM (7 mi away); precipitation: White Rock 1.5 Nne, NM (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

875447a

Los Alamos, NM · 6 mi

875457a

Los Alamos, NM · 6 mi

Cochiti Lake, NM · 14 mi

875337a

Espanola, NM · 15 mi

870417a

Pena Blanca, NM · 16 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87547

What planting zone is ZIP code 87547?

ZIP code 87547 (White Rock, NM) is in USDA hardiness zone 7b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 5 to 10 °F (−15 to −12.2 °C).

When is the last frost in White Rock, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87547 is May 2; after May 17 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Los Alamos station.

When is the first frost in White Rock, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87547 is October 12, giving a median frost-free growing season of 162 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87547?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 7 – Mar 21 and set transplants outside around May 9 – May 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87547 get?

About 14.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, White Rock 1.5 Nne station).

How hot do summers get in White Rock, NM?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 5 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87547 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Prieta at the center of ZIP 87547: stony silt loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in White Rock, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87547 came on Mar 1 in 2026, 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 14), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in White Rock, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87547 is 14 h 35 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 87547 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 87547 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.