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

Planting zone for 87711 — Anton Chico, NM

ZIP code 87711 (Anton Chico, Guadalupe County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost October 13.

Where ZIP 87711 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 2
First frostOct 13
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 Anton Chico, 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 Anton Chico, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 2median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 16only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 13median — 10% chance by Sep 29
Growing season162 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 21 and returns around October 23.

From the NOAA station Dilia, NM — 6 miles away, elevation 5,151 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 87711

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 11
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
TomatoesTransplant · May 9 – May 23
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 16 – May 30
BeansSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 18 – Sep 1
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 29 – Nov 3
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 2) and first fall frost (Oct 13) 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 87711 came on Feb 19 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 5).

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 Anton Chico, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87711 is Carnero — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH7.5slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Carnero-Partri 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 87711; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Anton Chico, NM

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July
Winter low22 °Faverage low, January
Hot days67days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights136nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,580base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 32 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 47 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
Snowfall27 inper year; 9 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 55 °F, low 22 °F 55°22° JanFebruary: average high 58 °F, low 24 °F 58°24° FebMarch: average high 66 °F, low 29 °F 66°29° MarApril: average high 73 °F, low 36 °F 73°36° AprMay: average high 81 °F, low 45 °F 81°45° MayJune: average high 90 °F, low 54 °F 90°54° JunJuly: average high 92 °F, low 59 °F 92°59° JulAugust: average high 90 °F, low 58 °F 90°58° AugSeptember: average high 84 °F, low 50 °F 84°50° SepOctober: average high 75 °F, low 39 °F 75°39° OctNovember: average high 63 °F, low 28 °F 63°28° NovDecember: average high 54 °F, low 22 °F 54°22° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″January: 0.51 in precipitation, 5.2 in snowfall 0.5❄5 JanFebruary: 0.48 in precipitation, 3.7 in snowfall 0.5❄4 FebMarch: 0.72 in precipitation, 4.6 in snowfall 0.7❄5 MarApril: 0.74 in precipitation, 1.3 in snowfall 0.7❄1 AprMay: 1.41 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 1.4 MayJune: 1.87 in precipitation 1.9 JunJuly: 2.74 in precipitation 2.7 JulAugust: 2.48 in precipitation 2.5 AugSeptember: 1.99 in precipitation 2.0 SepOctober: 1.25 in precipitation, 0.7 in snowfall 1.3❄1 OctNovember: 0.64 in precipitation, 3.6 in snowfall 0.6❄4 NovDecember: 0.84 in precipitation, 8 in snowfall 0.8❄8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Dilia, NM (6 mi away); precipitation: Dilia, NM (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

877247a
La Loma, NM · 10 mi
875696b
Serafina, NM · 12 mi
875836b
Villanueva, NM · 12 mi
875606b
Ribera, NM · 22 mi
877016b
Las Vegas, NM · 24 mi
875656b
San Jose, NM · 27 mi
875386b
Ilfeld, NM · 29 mi
884357a
Santa Rosa, NM · 30 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87711

What planting zone is ZIP code 87711?

ZIP code 87711 (Anton Chico, 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 Anton Chico, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87711 is May 2; after May 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dilia station.

When is the first frost in Anton Chico, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87711 is October 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 162 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87711?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 7 – Mar 21 and set transplants outside around May 9 – May 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87711 get?

About 15.7 inches of precipitation a year and 27 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dilia station).

How hot do summers get in Anton Chico, NM?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 67 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87711 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Carnero at the center of ZIP 87711: loam, well drained, pH about 7.5 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Anton Chico, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87711 came on Feb 19 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 5), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Anton Chico, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87711 is 14 h 32 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.