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

Planting zone for 87745 — Sapello, NM

ZIP code 87745 (Sapello, San Miguel County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost October 7.

Where ZIP 87745 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 10

First frostOct 7

2012 zone6a

Was 6a 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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Sapello, 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 Sapello, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 10median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 23only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 7median — 10% chance by Sep 26

Growing season149 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 1 and returns around October 16.

From the NOAA station Las Vegas Municipal Airport, NM — 12 miles away, elevation 6,874 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 87745

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 19

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 19 – May 3

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

TomatoesTransplant · May 17 – May 31

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 24 – Jun 7

BeansSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 12 – Aug 26

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 23 – Oct 28

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 10) and first fall frost (Oct 7) 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 87745 came on Mar 3 — 24 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 27).

average
Mar 272026
Mar 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 6b in New Mexico

515 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New Mexico, and rated by the USDA to survive −5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6b. 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 Sapello, NM.

Soil in Sapello, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87745 is Moreno — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Moreno-Brycan association, sloping.

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 87745; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Sapello, NM

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July

Winter low20 °Faverage low, January

Hot days13days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights155nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,361base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 35 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 44 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

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Las Vegas Municipal Airport, NM (12 mi away); precipitation: Las Vegas Municipal Airport, NM (12 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

877126a

Buena Vista, NM · 9 mi

877316b

Montezuma, NM · 10 mi

877426b

Rociada, NM · 11 mi

877366a

Rainsville, NM · 14 mi

877326a

Mora, NM · 17 mi

877156b

Cleveland, NM · 18 mi

877236a

Holman, NM · 19 mi

877356a

Ojo Feliz, NM · 20 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87745

What planting zone is ZIP code 87745?

ZIP code 87745 (Sapello, 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 Sapello, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87745 is May 10; after May 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Las Vegas Municipal Airport station.

When is the first frost in Sapello, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87745 is October 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 149 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87745?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 15 – Mar 29 and set transplants outside around May 17 – May 31, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87745 get?

About 15.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Las Vegas Municipal Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Sapello, NM?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 13 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87745 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Moreno at the center of ZIP 87745: loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Sapello, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87745 came on Mar 3 in 2026, 24 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 27), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Sapello, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87745 is 14 h 35 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 87745 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 87745 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.