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

Planting zone for 87801 — Socorro, NM

ZIP code 87801 (Socorro, Socorro County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost October 16.

Where ZIP 87801 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.

Zone7b5 to 10 °F

Coldest night−15 to −12.2 °C

Last frostApr 28

First frostOct 16

2012 zone7b

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 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Socorro, 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 Socorro, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 28median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 12only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 16median — 10% chance by Oct 1

Growing season167 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 15 and returns around October 25.

From the NOAA station Bosque Del Apache, NM — 14 miles away, elevation 4,511 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 87801

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Apr 7

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

TomatoesTransplant · May 5 – May 19

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 12 – May 26

BeansSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 21 – Sep 4

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 2 – Nov 6

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 28) and first fall frost (Oct 16) 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 87801 came on Feb 14 — 21 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 7).

average
Mar 72026
Feb 14

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 7b in New Mexico

535 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 7b. 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 Socorro, NM.

Soil in Socorro, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87801 is Abrazo — gravelly sandy loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Abrazo-Motoqua, cool-Rock outcrop complex, 10 to 50 percent slopes.

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 87801; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Socorro, NM

Summer high97 °Faverage high, June

Winter low20 °Faverage low, January

Hot days123days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights143nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,251base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 25 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 53 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation10.9 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: Bosque Del Apache, NM (14 mi away); precipitation: Socorro 0.4 Ne, NM (13 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.

878327b

San Antonio, NM · 15 mi

878237b

Lemitar, NM · 19 mi

878287b

Polvadera, NM · 21 mi

878317b

San Acacia, NM · 26 mi

878257a

Magdalena, NM · 33 mi

Monticello, NM · 42 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87801

What planting zone is ZIP code 87801?

ZIP code 87801 (Socorro, NM) is in USDA hardiness zone 7b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 5 to 10 °F (−15 to −12.2 °C).

When is the last frost in Socorro, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87801 is April 28; after May 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bosque Del Apache station.

When is the first frost in Socorro, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87801 is October 16, giving a median frost-free growing season of 167 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87801?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 3 – Mar 17 and set transplants outside around May 5 – May 19, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87801 get?

About 10.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Socorro 0.4 Ne station).

How hot do summers get in Socorro, NM?

The average high peaks at 97 °F in June, with about 123 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87801 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Abrazo at the center of ZIP 87801: gravelly sandy loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Socorro, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87801 came on Feb 14 in 2026, 21 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 7), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Socorro, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87801 is 14 h 25 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.