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

Planting zone for 87830 — Reserve, NM

ZIP code 87830 (Reserve, Catron County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 30 and the first fall frost October 3.

Where ZIP 87830 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 30

First frostOct 3

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 Reserve, 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 Reserve, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 30median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostOctober 3median — 10% chance by Sep 22

Growing season127 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 13 and returns around October 12.

From the NOAA station Reserve Rs, NM — 2 miles away, elevation 5,847 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 87830

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 9

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 9 – May 23

Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 2 – May 16

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 9 – May 23

LettuceSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 6 – Jun 20

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 13 – Jun 27

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 6 – Jun 20

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 6 – Jun 20

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 6 – Jun 20

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 8 – Aug 22

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 19 – Oct 24

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 30) and first fall frost (Oct 3) 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 87830 came on Feb 17 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 3).

average
Mar 32026
Feb 17

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 Reserve, NM.

Soil in Reserve, NM

The center of ZIP 87830 is mapped as No Digital Data Available: built-over ground without natural soil data. Garden soil here is usually imported or disturbed — test before you plant.

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 87830; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Reserve, NM

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July

Winter low17 °Faverage low, January

Hot days63days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights194nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,877base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 24 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 55 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation16.9 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: Reserve Rs, NM (2 mi away); precipitation: Reserve Rs, NM (2 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.

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87830

What planting zone is ZIP code 87830?

ZIP code 87830 (Reserve, 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 Reserve, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87830 is May 30; after June 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Reserve Rs station.

When is the first frost in Reserve, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87830 is October 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 127 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87830?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 4 – Apr 18 and set transplants outside around Jun 6 – Jun 20, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87830 get?

About 16.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Reserve Rs station).

How hot do summers get in Reserve, NM?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 63 days a year at 90 °F or more.

Did spring come early in Reserve, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87830 came on Feb 17 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Reserve, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87830 is 14 h 24 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 87830 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 87830 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.