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

Planting zone for 87573 — Tererro, NM

ZIP code 87573 (Tererro, San Miguel County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 15 and the first fall frost October 3.

Where ZIP 87573 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 15
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 Tererro, 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 Tererro, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 15median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 31only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 3median — 10% chance by Sep 19
Growing season138 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 4 and returns around October 13.

From the NOAA station Pecos Nm, NM — 16 miles away, elevation 6,877 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 87573

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 24
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 24 – May 8
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3
TomatoesTransplant · May 22 – Jun 5
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 29 – Jun 12
BeansSow outdoors · May 22 – Jun 5
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 22 – Jun 5
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 22 – Jun 5
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 15) 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 87573 came on Mar 22 — 37 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 28).

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.

Trees 27

Arizona cypress50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °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 °Fboxelder60 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °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 223

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 158

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 Tererro, NM.

Soil in Tererro, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87573 is Ring family — very cobbly loam, well drained.

TextureVery cobbly loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Ring family-Rock outcrop complex, fire, 40 to 120 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 87573; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Tererro, NM

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July
Winter low18 °Faverage low, January
Hot days21days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights174nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,345base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 35 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 44 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation34.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 47 °F, low 18 °F 47°18° JanFebruary: average high 50 °F, low 21 °F 50°21° FebMarch: average high 57 °F, low 26 °F 57°26° MarApril: average high 64 °F, low 31 °F 64°31° AprMay: average high 73 °F, low 39 °F 73°39° MayJune: average high 84 °F, low 48 °F 84°48° JunJuly: average high 85 °F, low 54 °F 85°54° JulAugust: average high 83 °F, low 52 °F 83°52° AugSeptember: average high 78 °F, low 45 °F 78°45° SepOctober: average high 67 °F, low 35 °F 67°35° OctNovember: average high 55 °F, low 25 °F 55°25° NovDecember: average high 47 °F, low 18 °F 47°18° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.00 in precipitation 3.0 JanFebruary: 2.83 in precipitation 2.8 FebMarch: 3.15 in precipitation 3.1 MarApril: 2.80 in precipitation 2.8 AprMay: 1.90 in precipitation 1.9 MayJune: 1.28 in precipitation 1.3 JunJuly: 4.45 in precipitation 4.5 JulAugust: 4.36 in precipitation 4.4 AugSeptember: 2.38 in precipitation 2.4 SepOctober: 2.54 in precipitation 2.5 OctNovember: 2.64 in precipitation 2.6 NovDecember: 2.83 in precipitation 2.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Pecos Nm, NM (16 mi away); precipitation: Santa Fe, NM (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

875526b
Pecos, NM · 9 mi
875016b
Santa Fe, NM · 9 mi
875746b
Tesuque, NM · 12 mi
875056b
Santa Fe, NM · 14 mi
875026b
Santa Fe, NM · 14 mi
875036b
Santa Fe, NM · 14 mi
875046b
Santa Fe, NM · 14 mi
875356b
Glorieta, NM · 14 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87573

What planting zone is ZIP code 87573?

ZIP code 87573 (Tererro, 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 Tererro, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87573 is May 15; after May 31 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pecos Nm station.

When is the first frost in Tererro, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87573 is October 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 138 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87573?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 20 – Apr 3 and set transplants outside around May 22 – Jun 5, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87573 get?

About 34.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Santa Fe station).

How hot do summers get in Tererro, NM?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 21 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87573 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ring family at the center of ZIP 87573: very cobbly loam, well drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Tererro, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87573 came on Mar 22 in 2026, 37 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 28), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Tererro, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87573 is 14 h 35 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.