Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 30, 2026

Planting zone for 87714 — Cimarron, NM

ZIP code 87714 (Cimarron, Colfax County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost October 3.

Where ZIP 87714 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 11

First frostOct 3

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 Cimarron, 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 Cimarron, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 11median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 25only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 3median — 10% chance by Sep 21

Growing season143 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 1 and returns around October 12.

From the NOAA station Cimarron 4 Sw, NM — 6 miles away, elevation 6,539 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 87714

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 20

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 20 – May 4

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

TomatoesTransplant · May 18 – Jun 1

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 25 – Jun 8

BeansSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 8 – Aug 22

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 19 – Oct 24

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 11) and first fall frost (Oct 3) 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 87714 came on Mar 10 — 29 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 8).

average
Apr 82026
Mar 10

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 Cimarron, NM.

Soil in Cimarron, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87714 is Cypher — gravelly loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.1slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.45%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Cypher-Bundo 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 87714; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Cimarron, NM

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July

Winter low17 °Faverage low, December

Hot days10days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights167nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,317base 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

Precipitation17.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall40 inper year; 12 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: Cimarron 4 Sw, NM (6 mi away); precipitation: Cimarron 4 Sw, NM (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

877496a

Ute Park, NM · 9 mi

877106a

Angel Fire, NM · 11 mi

877186a

Eagle Nest, NM · 14 mi

Guadalupita, NM · 25 mi

875256a

Taos Ski Valley, NM · 26 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87714

What planting zone is ZIP code 87714?

ZIP code 87714 (Cimarron, 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 Cimarron, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87714 is May 11; after May 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cimarron 4 Sw station.

When is the first frost in Cimarron, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87714 is October 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 143 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87714?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 16 – Mar 30 and set transplants outside around May 18 – Jun 1, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87714 get?

About 17.2 inches of precipitation a year and 40 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cimarron 4 Sw station).

How hot do summers get in Cimarron, NM?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 10 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87714 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cypher at the center of ZIP 87714: gravelly loam, well drained, pH about 6.1 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Cimarron, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87714 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 29 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 8), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Cimarron, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87714 is 14 h 39 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.