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

Planting zone for 87710 — Angel Fire, NM

ZIP code 87710 (Angel Fire, Colfax County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is June 18 and the first fall frost September 8.

Where ZIP 87710 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 frostJun 18
First frostSep 8
2012 zone5a

Was 5a on the 2012 map — a full 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 Angel Fire, 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 Angel Fire, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostJune 18median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJuly 1only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 8median — 10% chance by Aug 20
Growing season80 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around June 1 and returns around September 21.

From the NOAA station Angel Fire 1s, NM — 3 miles away, elevation 8,501 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 87710

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21
SpinachSow outdoors · May 7 – May 28
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 28 – Jun 11
Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 21 – Jun 4
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 28 – Jun 11
LettuceSow outdoors · May 21 – Jun 4
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 28 – Jun 11
TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 23 – May 7
TomatoesTransplant · Jun 25 – Jul 9
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jul 2 – Jul 16
BeansSow outdoors · Jun 25 – Jul 9
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 25 – Jul 9
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 25 – Jul 9
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 14 – Jul 28
GarlicPlant cloves · Aug 25 – Sep 29
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 18) and first fall frost (Sep 8) 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 87710 came on Apr 1 — 32 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 3).

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

Shrubs 95

Wildflowers & perennials 223

Grasses 158

Vines 1

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 Angel Fire, NM.

Soil in Angel Fire, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87710 is Fuera — cobbly loam, well drained.

TextureCobbly loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Fuera-Burnac association, steep.

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 87710; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Angel Fire, NM

Summer high77 °Faverage high, July
Winter low9 °Faverage low, January
Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights232nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days930base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 39 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 40 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation19.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 38 °F, low 9 °F 38°9° JanFebruary: average high 40 °F, low 12 °F 40°12° FebMarch: average high 47 °F, low 20 °F 47°20° MarApril: average high 54 °F, low 26 °F 54°26° AprMay: average high 64 °F, low 32 °F 64°32° MayJune: average high 74 °F, low 38 °F 74°38° JunJuly: average high 77 °F, low 44 °F 77°44° JulAugust: average high 75 °F, low 42 °F 75°42° AugSeptember: average high 69 °F, low 36 °F 69°36° SepOctober: average high 58 °F, low 27 °F 58°27° OctNovember: average high 46 °F, low 18 °F 46°18° NovDecember: average high 38 °F, low 11 °F 38°11° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″January: 0.95 in precipitation 0.9 JanFebruary: 1.13 in precipitation 1.1 FebMarch: 1.52 in precipitation 1.5 MarApril: 1.53 in precipitation 1.5 AprMay: 1.62 in precipitation 1.6 MayJune: 1.26 in precipitation 1.3 JunJuly: 3.05 in precipitation 3.0 JulAugust: 2.99 in precipitation 3.0 AugSeptember: 1.81 in precipitation 1.8 SepOctober: 1.54 in precipitation 1.5 OctNovember: 1.08 in precipitation 1.1 NovDecember: 1.10 in precipitation 1.1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Angel Fire 1s, NM (3 mi away); precipitation: Angel Fire 0.2 Sse, NM (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87710

What planting zone is ZIP code 87710?

ZIP code 87710 (Angel Fire, 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 Angel Fire, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87710 is June 18; after July 1 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Angel Fire 1s station.

When is the first frost in Angel Fire, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87710 is September 8, giving a median frost-free growing season of 80 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87710?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 23 – May 7 and set transplants outside around Jun 25 – Jul 9, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87710 get?

About 19.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Angel Fire 0.2 Sse station).

How hot do summers get in Angel Fire, NM?

The average high peaks at 77 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87710 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Fuera at the center of ZIP 87710: cobbly loam, well drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Angel Fire, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87710 came on Apr 1 in 2026, 32 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Angel Fire, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87710 is 14 h 39 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 87710 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 87710 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.