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

Planting zone for 87935 — Elephant Butte, NM

ZIP code 87935 (Elephant Butte, Sierra County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost November 9.

Where ZIP 87935 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.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F
Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C
Last frostMar 22
First frostNov 9
2012 zone8a

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 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Elephant Butte, 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 Elephant Butte, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 22median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 10only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 9median — 10% chance by Oct 27
Growing season230 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 4 and returns around November 19.

From the NOAA station Truth Or Consequence Airport, NM — 2 miles away, elevation 4,849 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 87935

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 8 – Mar 1
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 11 – Jan 25
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 1 – Mar 15
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 29 – Apr 12
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 11 – Jan 25
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 5 – Apr 19
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 14 – Sep 28
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 26 – Nov 30
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 22) and first fall frost (Nov 9) 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 87935 came on Feb 6 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 11).

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).

Soil in Elephant Butte, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87935 is Tres Hermanos — gravelly loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly loama good balance for most vegetables
pH7.9alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Tres Hermanos gravelly fine sandy loam, gently sloping.

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 87935; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Elephant Butte, NM

Summer high94 °Faverage high, June
Winter low30 °Faverage low, January
Hot days88days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights71nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,051base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 21 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 57 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation9.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 55 °F, low 30 °F 55°30° JanFebruary: average high 61 °F, low 34 °F 61°34° FebMarch: average high 68 °F, low 40 °F 68°40° MarApril: average high 76 °F, low 47 °F 76°47° AprMay: average high 85 °F, low 56 °F 85°56° MayJune: average high 94 °F, low 64 °F 94°64° JunJuly: average high 93 °F, low 68 °F 93°68° JulAugust: average high 91 °F, low 66 °F 91°66° AugSeptember: average high 85 °F, low 60 °F 85°60° SepOctober: average high 76 °F, low 49 °F 76°49° OctNovember: average high 63 °F, low 37 °F 63°37° NovDecember: average high 54 °F, low 30 °F 54°30° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″January: 0.45 in precipitation 0.5 JanFebruary: 0.30 in precipitation 0.3 FebMarch: 0.24 in precipitation 0.2 MarApril: 0.27 in precipitation 0.3 AprMay: 0.55 in precipitation 0.6 MayJune: 0.41 in precipitation 0.4 JunJuly: 1.63 in precipitation 1.6 JulAugust: 1.76 in precipitation 1.8 AugSeptember: 1.70 in precipitation 1.7 SepOctober: 0.73 in precipitation 0.7 OctNovember: 0.51 in precipitation 0.5 NovDecember: 0.60 in precipitation 0.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Truth Or Consequence Airport, NM (2 mi away); precipitation: Truth Or Consequence Airport, NM (2 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.

879397b
Monticello, NM · 10 mi
879018a
Truth Or Consequences, NM · 14 mi
879428a
Williamsburg, NM · 15 mi
876547b
Spaceport City, NM · 24 mi
879318a
Caballo, NM · 24 mi
879437a
Winston, NM · 30 mi
879308a
Arrey, NM · 30 mi
879338a
Derry, NM · 32 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87935

What planting zone is ZIP code 87935?

ZIP code 87935 (Elephant Butte, NM) is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 10 to 15 °F (−12.2 to −9.4 °C).

When is the last frost in Elephant Butte, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87935 is March 22; after April 10 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Truth Or Consequence Airport station.

When is the first frost in Elephant Butte, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87935 is November 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 230 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87935?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 25 – Feb 8 and set transplants outside around Mar 29 – Apr 12, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87935 get?

About 9.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Truth Or Consequence Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Elephant Butte, NM?

The average high peaks at 94 °F in June, with about 88 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87935 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Tres Hermanos at the center of ZIP 87935: gravelly loam, well drained, pH about 7.9 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Elephant Butte, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87935 came on Feb 6 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 11), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Elephant Butte, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87935 is 14 h 21 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.