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

Planting zone for 87829 — Quemado, NM

ZIP code 87829 (Quemado, Catron County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is June 1 and the first fall frost September 29.

Where ZIP 87829 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 1

First frostSep 29

2012 zone6b

Was 6b on the 2012 map — half a zone colder 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 Quemado, 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 Quemado, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostJune 1median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 14only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 29median — 10% chance by Sep 15

Growing season117 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 21 and returns around October 6.

From the NOAA station Quemado, NM — 12 miles away, elevation 6,877 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 87829

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 11

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 11 – May 25

Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 4 – May 18

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 11 – May 25

LettuceSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 8 – Jun 22

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 15 – Jun 29

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 8 – Jun 22

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 8 – Jun 22

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 8 – Jun 22

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 4 – Aug 18

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 15 – Oct 20

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 1) and first fall frost (Sep 29) 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 87829 came on Mar 2 — 25 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 27).

average
Mar 272026
Mar 2

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 Quemado, NM.

Soil in Quemado, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87829 is Cabezon — cobbly clay loam, well drained.

TextureCobbly clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Cabezon-Thunderbird-Celsosprings complex, 3 to 25 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 87829; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Quemado, NM

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July

Winter low15 °Faverage low, January

Hot days16days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights200nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,048base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 27 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 52 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation11.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall18 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

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

Nearby ZIP codes

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

878206a

Aragon, NM · 21 mi

873156a

Fence Lake, NM · 30 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87829

What planting zone is ZIP code 87829?

ZIP code 87829 (Quemado, 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 Quemado, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87829 is June 1; after June 14 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Quemado station.

When is the first frost in Quemado, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87829 is September 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 117 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87829?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 6 – Apr 20 and set transplants outside around Jun 8 – Jun 22, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87829 get?

About 11.4 inches of precipitation a year and 18 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Quemado station).

How hot do summers get in Quemado, NM?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 16 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87829 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cabezon at the center of ZIP 87829: cobbly clay loam, well drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Quemado, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87829 came on Mar 2 in 2026, 25 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 27), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Quemado, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87829 is 14 h 27 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 87829 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 87829 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.