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

Planting zone for 87569 — Serafina, NM

ZIP code 87569 (Serafina, 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 87569 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 zone6b

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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Serafina, 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 Serafina, 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 — 6 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 87569

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 87569 came on Feb 24 — 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 12).

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 Serafina, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87569 is Ribera — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH7.2neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Ribera-Sombordoro-Vibo association, moderately sloping.

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 87569; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Serafina, 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 33 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 46 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 (6 mi away); precipitation: Villanueva, NM (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

875836b
Villanueva, NM · 5 mi
877116b
Anton Chico, NM · 12 mi
875606b
Ribera, NM · 15 mi
875656b
San Jose, NM · 15 mi
875386b
Ilfeld, NM · 16 mi
875626b
Rowe, NM · 20 mi
877316b
Montezuma, NM · 25 mi
875526b
Pecos, NM · 28 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87569

What planting zone is ZIP code 87569?

ZIP code 87569 (Serafina, 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 Serafina, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87569 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 Serafina, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87569 is October 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 176 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87569?

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 87569 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 Serafina, 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 87569 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ribera at the center of ZIP 87569: loam, well drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Serafina, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87569 came on Feb 24 in 2026, 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Serafina, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87569 is 14 h 33 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.