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

Planting zone for 87560 — Ribera, NM

ZIP code 87560 (Ribera, San Miguel County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost October 20.

Where ZIP 87560 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 frostApr 24
First frostOct 20
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 Ribera, 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 Ribera, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 24median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 7only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 20median — 10% chance by Oct 5
Growing season176 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 10 and returns around October 31.

From the NOAA station Villanueva, NM — 10 miles away, elevation 5,765 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 87560

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Apr 3
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 3 – Apr 17
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13
TomatoesTransplant · May 1 – May 15
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 8 – May 22
BeansSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 25 – Sep 8
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 6 – Nov 10
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 24) and first fall frost (Oct 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 87560 came on Mar 1 — 22 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (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 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.

Trees 28

Arizona cypress50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °FArizona sycamore80 ft · blooms early spring · high shade tolerance · to −8 °FArizona walnut50 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −33 °Fblack locust60 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −37 °Fblack walnut100 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Fblue spruce100 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Shrubs 95

alderleaf mountain mahogany15 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −41 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican plum24 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican tarwort3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −23 °Fantelope bitterbrush6 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −36 °FApache plume6 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −23 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 225

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine bistort1 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine mountainsorrel1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °FAmerican alpine speedwell1 ft · blooms summer · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican bistort1.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Grasses 159

alkali cordgrass3 ft · blooms late summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falkali sacaton3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine timothy1.4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °Fanalogue sedge1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Farctic bluegrass2 ft · high shade tolerance · to −62 °FArizona cottontop4 ft · blooms late summer · high shade tolerance · to −13 °F

Vines 1

western white clematis1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °F

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 Ribera, NM.

Soil in Ribera, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87560 is Vibo — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine 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 matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Vibo-Ribera association, undulating.

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 87560; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ribera, NM

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July
Winter low24 °Faverage low, January
Hot days56days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights129nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,364base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 32 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 47 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation17 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall25 inper year; 8 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 51 °F, low 24 °F 51°24° JanFebruary: average high 53 °F, low 26 °F 53°26° FebMarch: average high 61 °F, low 32 °F 61°32° MarApril: average high 69 °F, low 37 °F 69°37° AprMay: average high 78 °F, low 45 °F 78°45° MayJune: average high 88 °F, low 54 °F 88°54° JunJuly: average high 90 °F, low 59 °F 90°59° JulAugust: average high 88 °F, low 57 °F 88°57° AugSeptember: average high 82 °F, low 50 °F 82°50° SepOctober: average high 71 °F, low 40 °F 71°40° OctNovember: average high 60 °F, low 30 °F 60°30° NovDecember: average high 50 °F, low 24 °F 50°24° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″January: 0.54 in precipitation, 4.7 in snowfall 0.5❄5 JanFebruary: 0.45 in precipitation, 4.2 in snowfall 0.5❄4 FebMarch: 0.84 in precipitation, 3.6 in snowfall 0.8❄4 MarApril: 0.97 in precipitation, 0.5 in snowfall 1.0❄1 AprMay: 1.45 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 1.4 MayJune: 1.63 in precipitation 1.6 JunJuly: 3.19 in precipitation 3.2 JulAugust: 2.83 in precipitation 2.8 AugSeptember: 2.09 in precipitation 2.1 SepOctober: 1.32 in precipitation, 1 in snowfall 1.3❄1 OctNovember: 0.73 in precipitation, 3.7 in snowfall 0.7❄4 NovDecember: 0.98 in precipitation, 7.2 in snowfall 1.0❄7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Villanueva, NM (10 mi away); precipitation: Villanueva, NM (10 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

875836b
Villanueva, NM · 10 mi
875626b
Rowe, NM · 14 mi
875696b
Serafina, NM · 15 mi
875386b
Ilfeld, NM · 18 mi
870706b
Clines Corners, NM · 19 mi
870566b
Stanley, NM · 21 mi
875406b
Lamy, NM · 23 mi
870356a
Moriarty, NM · 29 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87560

What planting zone is ZIP code 87560?

ZIP code 87560 (Ribera, 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 Ribera, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87560 is April 24; after May 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Villanueva station.

When is the first frost in Ribera, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87560 is October 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 176 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87560?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 27 – Mar 13 and set transplants outside around May 1 – May 15, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87560 get?

About 17 inches of precipitation a year and 25 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Villanueva station).

How hot do summers get in Ribera, NM?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 56 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87560 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Vibo at the center of ZIP 87560: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Ribera, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87560 came on Mar 1 in 2026, 22 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Ribera, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87560 is 14 h 32 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 87560 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 87560 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.