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

Planting zone for 87558 — Red River, NM

ZIP code 87558 (Red River, Taos County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is June 19 and the first fall frost September 7.

Where ZIP 87558 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 frostJun 19

First frostSep 7

2012 zone5b

Was 5b 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 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Red River, 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 Red River, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostJune 19median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJuly 3only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 7median — 10% chance by Aug 17

Growing season77 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around June 2 and returns around September 20.

From the NOAA station Red River, NM — 3 miles away, elevation 8,668 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 87558

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22

SpinachSow outdoors · May 8 – May 29

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 29 – Jun 12

Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 22 – Jun 5

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 29 – Jun 12

LettuceSow outdoors · May 22 – Jun 5

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 29 – Jun 12

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 24 – May 8

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 26 – Jul 10

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jul 3 – Jul 17

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 26 – Jul 10

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 26 – Jul 10

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 26 – Jul 10

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 13 – Jul 27

GarlicPlant cloves · Aug 24 – Sep 28

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 19) and first fall frost (Sep 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 87558 came on May 14 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 21).

average
May 212026
May 14

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 6a in New Mexico

511 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New Mexico, and rated by the USDA to survive −10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6a. 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 Red River, NM.

Soil in Red River, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87558 is Nambe — cobbly loam, well drained.

TextureCobbly loama good balance for most vegetables

pH4.6strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Nambe-Rock outcrop complex, 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 87558; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Red River, NM

Summer high75 °Faverage high, July

Winter low7 °Faverage low, January

Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights237nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days681base 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

Precipitation22 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall157 inper year; 99 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: Red River, NM (3 mi away); precipitation: Red River, NM (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

875256a

Taos Ski Valley, NM · 6 mi

875645b

San Cristobal, NM · 10 mi

Arroyo Seco, NM · 13 mi

877186a

Eagle Nest, NM · 13 mi

875135b

Arroyo Hondo, NM · 15 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87558

What planting zone is ZIP code 87558?

ZIP code 87558 (Red River, 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 Red River, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87558 is June 19; after July 3 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Red River station.

When is the first frost in Red River, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87558 is September 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 77 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87558?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 24 – May 8 and set transplants outside around Jun 26 – Jul 10, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87558 get?

About 22 inches of precipitation a year and 157 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Red River station).

How hot do summers get in Red River, NM?

The average high peaks at 75 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87558 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Nambe at the center of ZIP 87558: cobbly loam, well drained, pH about 4.6 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Red River, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87558 came on May 14 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 21), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Red River, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87558 is 14 h 40 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 87558 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 87558 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.