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

Planting zone for 87749 — Ute Park, NM

ZIP code 87749 (Ute Park, Colfax County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is June 16 and the first fall frost September 14.

Where ZIP 87749 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 16

First frostSep 14

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 Ute Park, 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 Ute Park, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostJune 16median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJuly 5only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 14median — 10% chance by Sep 1

Growing season87 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 31 and returns around September 23.

From the NOAA station Eagle Nest, NM — 7 miles away, elevation 8,281 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 87749

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19

SpinachSow outdoors · May 5 – May 26

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 26 – Jun 9

Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 26 – Jun 9

LettuceSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 26 – Jun 9

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 21 – May 5

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 23 – Jul 7

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 30 – Jul 14

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 23 – Jul 7

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 23 – Jul 7

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 23 – Jul 7

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 20 – Aug 3

GarlicPlant cloves · Aug 31 – Oct 5

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 16) and first fall frost (Sep 14) 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 87749 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 Ute Park, NM.

Soil in Ute Park, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87749 is Fuera — cobbly loam, well drained.

TextureCobbly loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Fuera-Dargol-Vamer 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 87749; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ute Park, NM

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July

Winter low5 °Faverage low, January

Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights243nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,095base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 40 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 39 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

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Eagle Nest, NM (7 mi away); precipitation: Eagle Nest, NM (7 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.

877186a

Eagle Nest, NM · 6 mi

877146a

Cimarron, NM · 9 mi

877106a

Angel Fire, NM · 15 mi

875586a

Red River, NM · 19 mi

875256a

Taos Ski Valley, NM · 21 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87749

What planting zone is ZIP code 87749?

ZIP code 87749 (Ute Park, 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 Ute Park, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87749 is June 16; after July 5 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Eagle Nest station.

When is the first frost in Ute Park, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87749 is September 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 87 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87749?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 21 – May 5 and set transplants outside around Jun 23 – Jul 7, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87749 get?

About 17.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Eagle Nest station).

How hot do summers get in Ute Park, NM?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87749 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Fuera at the center of ZIP 87749: cobbly loam, well drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Ute Park, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87749 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 Ute Park, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87749 is 14 h 40 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 87749 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 87749 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.