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

Planting zone for 87701 — Las Vegas, NM

ZIP code 87701 (Las Vegas, San Miguel County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost October 7.

Where ZIP 87701 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 frostMay 10
First frostOct 7
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 Las Vegas, 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 Las Vegas, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 10median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 23only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 7median — 10% chance by Sep 26
Growing season149 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 1 and returns around October 16.

From the NOAA station Las Vegas Municipal Airport, NM — 14 miles away, elevation 6,874 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 87701

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 19
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 19 – May 3
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29
TomatoesTransplant · May 17 – May 31
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 24 – Jun 7
BeansSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 12 – Aug 26
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 23 – Oct 28
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 10) and first fall frost (Oct 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 87701 came on Feb 26 — 23 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 21).

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 Las Vegas, NM.

Soil in Las Vegas, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87701 is Crews — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH7.2neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Crews-Tricon 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 87701; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Las Vegas, NM

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July
Winter low20 °Faverage low, January
Hot days13days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights155nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,361base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 34 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 45 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation15.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 47 °F, low 20 °F 47°20° JanFebruary: average high 49 °F, low 22 °F 49°22° FebMarch: average high 56 °F, low 27 °F 56°27° MarApril: average high 63 °F, low 32 °F 63°32° AprMay: average high 72 °F, low 41 °F 72°41° MayJune: average high 82 °F, low 50 °F 82°50° JunJuly: average high 84 °F, low 54 °F 84°54° JulAugust: average high 81 °F, low 53 °F 81°53° AugSeptember: average high 76 °F, low 46 °F 76°46° SepOctober: average high 66 °F, low 36 °F 66°36° OctNovember: average high 55 °F, low 26 °F 55°26° NovDecember: average high 46 °F, low 20 °F 46°20° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″January: 0.35 in precipitation 0.3 JanFebruary: 0.32 in precipitation 0.3 FebMarch: 0.60 in precipitation 0.6 MarApril: 0.68 in precipitation 0.7 AprMay: 1.32 in precipitation 1.3 MayJune: 1.62 in precipitation 1.6 JunJuly: 3.24 in precipitation 3.2 JulAugust: 3.13 in precipitation 3.1 AugSeptember: 2.16 in precipitation 2.2 SepOctober: 1.36 in precipitation 1.4 OctNovember: 0.51 in precipitation 0.5 NovDecember: 0.44 in precipitation 0.4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Las Vegas Municipal Airport, NM (14 mi away); precipitation: Las Vegas Municipal Airport, NM (14 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

877506a
Valmora, NM · 20 mi
877536a
Watrous, NM · 22 mi
877116b
Anton Chico, NM · 24 mi
875696b
Serafina, NM · 25 mi
877456b
Sapello, NM · 25 mi
877247a
La Loma, NM · 26 mi
877126a
Buena Vista, NM · 27 mi
877316b
Montezuma, NM · 28 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87701

What planting zone is ZIP code 87701?

ZIP code 87701 (Las Vegas, 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 Las Vegas, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87701 is May 10; after May 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Las Vegas Municipal Airport station.

When is the first frost in Las Vegas, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87701 is October 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 149 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87701?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 15 – Mar 29 and set transplants outside around May 17 – May 31, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87701 get?

About 15.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Las Vegas Municipal Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Las Vegas, NM?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 13 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87701 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Crews at the center of ZIP 87701: loam, well drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Las Vegas, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87701 came on Feb 26 in 2026, 23 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 21), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Las Vegas, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87701 is 14 h 34 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 87701 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 87701 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.