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

Planting zone for 87571 — Taos, NM

ZIP code 87571 (Taos, 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 87571 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 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 Taos, 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 Taos, 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 — 9 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 87571

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 87571 came on Mar 23 — 40 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 2).

average
May 22026
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 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 Taos, NM.

Soil in Taos, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87571 is Jaroso — cobbly loam, well drained.

TextureCobbly loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.1slightly acidic; 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: Jaroso-Angostura-Mascarenas complex, 40 to 80 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 87571; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Taos, 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

Precipitation21.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Taos, NM (9 mi away); precipitation: Palo, 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.

877106a

Angel Fire, NM · 12 mi

875576a

Ranchos De Taos, NM · 12 mi

Arroyo Seco, NM · 15 mi

875805b

Valdez, NM · 16 mi

877226a

Guadalupita, NM · 17 mi

875256a

Taos Ski Valley, NM · 17 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87571

What planting zone is ZIP code 87571?

ZIP code 87571 (Taos, 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 Taos, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87571 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 Taos, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87571 is October 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 136 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87571?

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 87571 get?

About 21.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Palo station).

How hot do summers get in Taos, 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 87571 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Jaroso at the center of ZIP 87571: cobbly loam, well drained, pH about 6.1 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Taos, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87571 came on Mar 23 in 2026, 40 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 2), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Taos, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87571 is 14 h 38 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 87571 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 87571 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.