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

Planting zone for 87713 — Chacon, NM

ZIP code 87713 (Chacon, Mora 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 87713 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 zone5b

Was 5b 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 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Chacon, 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 Chacon, 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 — 16 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 87713

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 87713 came on Mar 22 — 31 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 22).

average
Apr 222026
Mar 22

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 Chacon, NM.

Soil in Chacon, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87713 is Eutroboralfs — very stony loam, well drained.

TextureVery stony loama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.5slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.7%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Eutroboralfs-Rock outcrop-Vamer complex, extremely 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 87713; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Chacon, 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 37 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 42 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation20.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall73 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Angel Fire 1s, NM (16 mi away); precipitation: Chacon 2 S, NM (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

877226a

Guadalupita, NM · 5 mi

Cleveland, NM · 12 mi

Ojo Feliz, NM · 16 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87713

What planting zone is ZIP code 87713?

ZIP code 87713 (Chacon, 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 Chacon, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87713 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 Chacon, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87713 is September 8, giving a median frost-free growing season of 80 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87713?

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 87713 get?

About 20.3 inches of precipitation a year and 73 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Chacon 2 S station).

How hot do summers get in Chacon, 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 87713 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Eutroboralfs at the center of ZIP 87713: very stony loam, well drained, pH about 7.5 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Chacon, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87713 came on Mar 22 in 2026, 31 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 22), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Chacon, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87713 is 14 h 37 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 87713 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 87713 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.