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

Planting zone for 87942 — Williamsburg, NM

ZIP code 87942 (Williamsburg, Sierra County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 30 and the first fall frost November 5.

Where ZIP 87942 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 30

First frostNov 5

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 Williamsburg, 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 Williamsburg, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

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

Safe for tender plantsApril 19only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 5median — 10% chance by Oct 24

Growing season220 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 10 and returns around November 15.

From the NOAA station Truth Or Consequences, NM — 9 miles away, elevation 4,295 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 87942

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 9

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 19 – Feb 2

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 9 – Mar 23

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 6 – Apr 20

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 19 – Feb 2

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 10 – Sep 24

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 22 – Nov 26

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 30) and first fall frost (Nov 5) 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 87942 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 Williamsburg, NM.

Soil in Williamsburg, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87942 is Nickel — very gravelly fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureVery gravelly fine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH8.2alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Nickel very gravelly fine sandy loam, very steep.

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 87942; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Williamsburg, NM

Summer high97 °Faverage high, June

Winter low27 °Faverage low, January

Hot days105days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights85nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,340base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 20 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 58 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation10.9 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: Truth Or Consequences, NM (9 mi away); precipitation: Truth Or Consequences 0.5 Ene, NM (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

879318a

Caballo, NM · 9 mi

879358a

Elephant Butte, NM · 15 mi

Truth Or Consequences, NM · 20 mi

880428a

Hillsboro, NM · 21 mi

879397b

Monticello, NM · 22 mi

879368a

Garfield, NM · 22 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87942

What planting zone is ZIP code 87942?

ZIP code 87942 (Williamsburg, 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 Williamsburg, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87942 is March 30; after April 19 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Truth Or Consequences station.

When is the first frost in Williamsburg, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87942 is November 5, giving a median frost-free growing season of 220 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87942?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 2 – Feb 16 and set transplants outside around Apr 6 – Apr 20, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87942 get?

About 10.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Truth Or Consequences 0.5 Ene station).

How hot do summers get in Williamsburg, NM?

The average high peaks at 97 °F in June, with about 105 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87942 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Nickel at the center of ZIP 87942: very gravelly fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 8.2 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Williamsburg, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87942 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 Williamsburg, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87942 is 14 h 20 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.