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

Planting zone for 87940 — Rincon, NM

ZIP code 87940 (Rincon, Doña Ana County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost October 24.

Where ZIP 87940 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 frostApr 24

First frostOct 24

2012 zone7b

Was 7b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. 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 Rincon, 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 Rincon, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 24median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 8only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 24median — 10% chance by Oct 10

Growing season181 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 9 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Las Cruces 20 N, NM — 16 miles away, elevation 4,328 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 87940

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Apr 3

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

TomatoesTransplant · May 1 – May 15

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 8 – May 22

BeansSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 29 – Sep 12

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 10 – Nov 14

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 24) and first fall frost (Oct 24) 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 87940 came on Feb 6 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 10).

average
Feb 102026
Feb 6

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 8a in New Mexico

542 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 8a. 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 Rincon, NM.

Soil in Rincon, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87940 is Bluepoint — loamy sand, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureLoamy sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH8.5alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Bluepoint loamy sand, 5 to 15 percent slopes MLRA 42.

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 87940; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Rincon, NM

Summer high95 °Faverage high, June

Winter low23 °Faverage low, December

Hot days96days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights116nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,471base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 18 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 00 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation10.1 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: Las Cruces 20 N, NM (16 mi away); precipitation: Hatch 7.2 Ese, 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.

879378a

Hatch, NM · 12 mi

880548a

Radium Springs, NM · 12 mi

879418a

Salem, NM · 13 mi

880127b

Las Cruces, NM · 14 mi

880138b

Las Cruces, NM · 14 mi

879368a

Garfield, NM · 17 mi

880078b

Las Cruces, NM · 18 mi

879338a

Derry, NM · 19 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87940

What planting zone is ZIP code 87940?

ZIP code 87940 (Rincon, 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 Rincon, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87940 is April 24; after May 8 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Las Cruces 20 N station.

When is the first frost in Rincon, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87940 is October 24, giving a median frost-free growing season of 181 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87940?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 27 – Mar 13 and set transplants outside around May 1 – May 15, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87940 get?

About 10.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hatch 7.2 Ese station).

How hot do summers get in Rincon, NM?

The average high peaks at 95 °F in June, with about 96 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87940 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Bluepoint at the center of ZIP 87940: loamy sand, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 8.5 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Rincon, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87940 came on Feb 6 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 10), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Rincon, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87940 is 14 h 18 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 87940 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 87940 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.