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

Planting zone for 87553 — Penasco, NM

ZIP code 87553 (Penasco, Taos County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 19 and the first fall frost October 3.

Where ZIP 87553 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.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F
Coldest night−23.3 to −20.6 °C
Last frostMay 19
First frostOct 3
2012 zone6a

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 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Penasco, 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 Penasco, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 19median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 31only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 3median — 10% chance by Sep 23
Growing season136 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 7 and returns around October 10.

From the NOAA station Taos, NM — 14 miles away, elevation 6,966 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 87553

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 28
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 28 – May 12
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
TomatoesTransplant · May 26 – Jun 9
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 2 – Jun 16
BeansSow outdoors · May 26 – Jun 9
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 26 – Jun 9
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 26 – Jun 9
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 8 – Aug 22
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 19 – Oct 24
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 19) and first fall frost (Oct 3) 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 87553 came on Mar 18 — 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 6).

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).

Soil in Penasco, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87553 is Eutroboralfs — cobbly loam, well drained.

TextureCobbly loama good balance for most vegetables
pH7.2neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Eutroboralfs-Glossoboralfs-Rock outcrop association, very steep.

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 87553; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Penasco, NM

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July
Winter low12 °Faverage low, January
Hot days23days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights183nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,285base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 38 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 41 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation11.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 42 °F, low 12 °F 42°12° JanFebruary: average high 46 °F, low 19 °F 46°19° FebMarch: average high 55 °F, low 25 °F 55°25° MarApril: average high 63 °F, low 31 °F 63°31° AprMay: average high 73 °F, low 37 °F 73°37° MayJune: average high 84 °F, low 47 °F 84°47° JunJuly: average high 87 °F, low 53 °F 87°53° JulAugust: average high 84 °F, low 51 °F 84°51° AugSeptember: average high 78 °F, low 45 °F 78°45° SepOctober: average high 67 °F, low 32 °F 67°32° OctNovember: average high 53 °F, low 22 °F 53°22° NovDecember: average high 42 °F, low 14 °F 42°14° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″January: 0.59 in precipitation 0.6 JanFebruary: 0.59 in precipitation 0.6 FebMarch: 0.75 in precipitation 0.8 MarApril: 0.75 in precipitation 0.8 AprMay: 0.88 in precipitation 0.9 MayJune: 0.57 in precipitation 0.6 JunJuly: 1.48 in precipitation 1.5 JulAugust: 1.95 in precipitation 1.9 AugSeptember: 1.32 in precipitation 1.3 SepOctober: 1.41 in precipitation 1.4 OctNovember: 0.88 in precipitation 0.9 NovDecember: 0.68 in precipitation 0.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Taos, NM (14 mi away); precipitation: Alcalde 14 Ne, NM (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

875766b
Trampas, NM · 6 mi
875276b
Dixon, NM · 8 mi
875576a
Ranchos De Taos, NM · 8 mi
875436a
Llano, NM · 9 mi
875317a
Embudo, NM · 9 mi
875786a
Truchas, NM · 12 mi
875176a
Carson, NM · 12 mi
875497a
Ojo Caliente, NM · 14 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87553

What planting zone is ZIP code 87553?

ZIP code 87553 (Penasco, NM) is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −10 to −5 °F (−23.3 to −20.6 °C).

When is the last frost in Penasco, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87553 is May 19; after May 31 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Taos station.

When is the first frost in Penasco, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87553 is October 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 136 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87553?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 24 – Apr 7 and set transplants outside around May 26 – Jun 9, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87553 get?

About 11.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Alcalde 14 Ne station).

How hot do summers get in Penasco, NM?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 23 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87553 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Eutroboralfs at the center of ZIP 87553: cobbly loam, well drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Penasco, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87553 came on Mar 18 in 2026, 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Penasco, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87553 is 14 h 38 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.