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

Planting zone for 87821 — Datil, NM

ZIP code 87821 (Datil, Catron County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 19 and the first fall frost October 4.

Where ZIP 87821 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 19
First frostOct 4
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 Datil, 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 Datil, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 19median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 6only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 4median — 10% chance by Sep 23
Growing season137 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 8 and returns around October 13.

From the NOAA station Augustine 2e, NM — 27 miles away, elevation 7,002 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 87821

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 28
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 28 – May 12
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
TomatoesTransplant · May 26 – Jun 9
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 2 – Jun 16
BeansSow outdoors · May 26 – Jun 9
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 26 – Jun 9
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 26 – Jun 9
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 9 – Aug 23
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 20 – Oct 25
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 19) and first fall frost (Oct 4) 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 87821 came on Mar 7 — 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 23).

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.

Trees 27

Arizona cypress50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °FArizona walnut50 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −33 °Fblack locust60 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −37 °Fblack walnut100 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Fblue spruce100 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Fboxelder60 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °F

Shrubs 95

alderleaf mountain mahogany15 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −41 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican plum24 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican tarwort3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −23 °Fantelope bitterbrush6 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −36 °FApache plume6 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −23 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 223

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine bistort1 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine mountainsorrel1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °FAmerican alpine speedwell1 ft · blooms summer · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican bistort1.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Grasses 158

alkali cordgrass3 ft · blooms late summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falkali sacaton3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine timothy1.4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °Fanalogue sedge1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Farctic bluegrass2 ft · high shade tolerance · to −62 °FArizona cottontop4 ft · blooms late summer · high shade tolerance · to −13 °F

Vines 1

western white clematis1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °F

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 Datil, NM.

Soil in Datil, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87821 is Manzano — clay loam, well drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Manzano clay loam, 0 to 2 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 87821; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Datil, NM

Summer high82 °Faverage high, June
Winter low17 °Faverage low, December
Hot days11days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights176nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,213base 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
Precipitation13 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall7 inper year; 1 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 46 °F, low 18 °F 46°18° JanFebruary: average high 49 °F, low 21 °F 49°21° FebMarch: average high 56 °F, low 25 °F 56°25° MarApril: average high 63 °F, low 31 °F 63°31° AprMay: average high 72 °F, low 40 °F 72°40° MayJune: average high 82 °F, low 49 °F 82°49° JunJuly: average high 82 °F, low 56 °F 82°56° JulAugust: average high 80 °F, low 54 °F 80°54° AugSeptember: average high 75 °F, low 46 °F 75°46° SepOctober: average high 66 °F, low 34 °F 66°34° OctNovember: average high 55 °F, low 23 °F 55°23° NovDecember: average high 46 °F, low 17 °F 46°17° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″January: 0.46 in precipitation, 1.4 in snowfall 0.5❄1 JanFebruary: 0.55 in precipitation, 1.5 in snowfall 0.6❄2 FebMarch: 0.53 in precipitation, 0.8 in snowfall 0.5❄1 MarApril: 0.48 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 0.5 AprMay: 0.67 in precipitation 0.7 MayJune: 0.55 in precipitation 0.6 JunJuly: 2.69 in precipitation 2.7 JulAugust: 2.84 in precipitation 2.8 AugSeptember: 2.00 in precipitation 2.0 SepOctober: 1.08 in precipitation, 0.4 in snowfall 1.1 OctNovember: 0.58 in precipitation, 0.5 in snowfall 0.6❄1 NovDecember: 0.61 in precipitation, 1.9 in snowfall 0.6❄2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Augustine 2e, NM (27 mi away); precipitation: Augustine 2e, NM (27 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

878257a
Magdalena, NM · 24 mi
878275b
Pie Town, NM · 29 mi
878206a
Aragon, NM · 30 mi
878296a
Quemado, NM · 39 mi
879437a
Winston, NM · 41 mi
878306a
Reserve, NM · 41 mi
878246a
Luna, NM · 53 mi
880397a
Glenwood, NM · 54 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87821

What planting zone is ZIP code 87821?

ZIP code 87821 (Datil, 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 Datil, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87821 is May 19; after June 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Augustine 2e station.

When is the first frost in Datil, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87821 is October 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 137 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87821?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 24 – Apr 7 and set transplants outside around May 26 – Jun 9, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87821 get?

About 13 inches of precipitation a year and 7 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Augustine 2e station).

How hot do summers get in Datil, NM?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in June, with about 11 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87821 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Manzano at the center of ZIP 87821: clay loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Datil, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87821 came on Mar 7 in 2026, 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Datil, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87821 is 14 h 25 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.