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

Planting zone for 87712 — Buena Vista, NM

ZIP code 87712 (Buena Vista, Mora County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 18 and the first fall frost October 1.

Where ZIP 87712 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 18

First frostOct 1

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 Buena Vista, 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 Buena Vista, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostMay 18median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 3only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 1median — 10% chance by Sep 21

Growing season135 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 5 and returns around October 9.

From the NOAA station Valmora, NM — 14 miles away, elevation 6,326 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 87712

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 27

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 27 – May 11

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

TomatoesTransplant · May 25 – Jun 8

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 1 – Jun 15

BeansSow outdoors · May 25 – Jun 8

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 25 – Jun 8

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 25 – Jun 8

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 6 – Aug 20

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 17 – Oct 22

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 18) and first fall frost (Oct 1) 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 87712 came on Feb 28 — 25 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 25).

average
Mar 252026
Feb 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.

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 Buena Vista, NM.

Soil in Buena Vista, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87712 is Colmor — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.8slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Colmor-Onava complex, fan remnants - MLRA70A.1.

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 87712; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Buena Vista, NM

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low14 °Faverage low, January

Hot days21days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights189nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,398base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 36 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 43 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation15.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall24 inper year; 11 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Valmora, NM (14 mi away); precipitation: Valmora, NM (14 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.

877366a

Rainsville, NM · 7 mi

877456b

Sapello, NM · 9 mi

877356a

Ojo Feliz, NM · 12 mi

Cleveland, NM · 17 mi

877236a

Holman, NM · 17 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87712

What planting zone is ZIP code 87712?

ZIP code 87712 (Buena Vista, 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 Buena Vista, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87712 is May 18; after June 3 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Valmora station.

When is the first frost in Buena Vista, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87712 is October 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 135 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87712?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 23 – Apr 6 and set transplants outside around May 25 – Jun 8, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87712 get?

About 15.9 inches of precipitation a year and 24 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Valmora station).

How hot do summers get in Buena Vista, NM?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 21 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87712 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Colmor at the center of ZIP 87712: loam, well drained, pH about 7.8 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Buena Vista, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87712 came on Feb 28 in 2026, 25 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 25), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Buena Vista, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87712 is 14 h 36 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.