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

Planting zone for 87551 — Los Ojos, NM

ZIP code 87551 (Los Ojos, Rio Arriba County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is June 11 and the first fall frost September 20.

Where ZIP 87551 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 11

First frostSep 20

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 Los Ojos, 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 Los Ojos, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

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

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

First fall frostSeptember 20median — 10% chance by Sep 8

Growing season98 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station Tierra Amarilla 4 N, NM — 7 miles away, elevation 7,464 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 87551

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 21

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 21 – Jun 4

Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 14 – May 28

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 21 – Jun 4

LettuceSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 21 – Jun 4

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 18 – Jul 2

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 25 – Jul 9

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 18 – Jul 2

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 18 – Jul 2

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 18 – Jul 2

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 26 – Aug 9

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 6 – Oct 11

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 11) and first fall frost (Sep 20) 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 87551 came on Mar 23 — 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 12).

average
Apr 122026
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 Los Ojos, NM.

Soil in Los Ojos, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87551 is Rombo — clay, well drained.

TextureClayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Rombo-Wiggler complex, 5 to 25 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 87551; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Los Ojos, NM

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July

Winter low6 °Faverage low, January

Hot days5days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights235nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,406base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 40 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 39 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation16.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall75 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Tierra Amarilla 4 N, NM (7 mi away); precipitation: Tierra Amarilla 4 N, NM (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

875755b

Tierra Amarilla, NM · 5 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87551

What planting zone is ZIP code 87551?

ZIP code 87551 (Los Ojos, 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 Los Ojos, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87551 is June 11; after June 26 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tierra Amarilla 4 N station.

When is the first frost in Los Ojos, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87551 is September 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 98 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87551?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 16 – Apr 30 and set transplants outside around Jun 18 – Jul 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87551 get?

About 16.6 inches of precipitation a year and 75 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tierra Amarilla 4 N station).

How hot do summers get in Los Ojos, 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 87551 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Rombo at the center of ZIP 87551: clay, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Los Ojos, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87551 came on Mar 23 in 2026, 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Los Ojos, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87551 is 14 h 40 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 87551 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 87551 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.