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

Planting zone for 88006 — Las Cruces, NM

ZIP code 88006 (Las Cruces, Doña Ana County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 12 and the first fall frost November 13.

Where ZIP 88006 is

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.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F

Coldest night−9.4 to −6.7 °C

Last frostMar 12

First frostNov 13

2012 zone8a

Was 8a 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 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Las Cruces, 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 Las Cruces, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 12median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 2only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 13median — 10% chance by Oct 30

Growing season241 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 26 and returns around November 24.

From the NOAA station State Univ, NM — 2 miles away, elevation 3,888 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 88006

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 29 – Feb 19

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 1 – Jan 15

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 19 – Apr 2

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 1 – Jan 15

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 26 – Apr 9

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 18 – Oct 2

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 30 – Dec 4

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 12) and first fall frost (Nov 13) 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 88006 came on Feb 5 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 6).

average
Feb 62026
Feb 5

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 8b in New Mexico

551 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New Mexico, and rated by the USDA to survive 15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8b. 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 Las Cruces, NM.

Soil in Las Cruces, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 88006 is Anthony — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH8.0alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.7%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Anthony-Vinton loams, 0 to 1 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 88006; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Las Cruces, NM

Summer high96 °Faverage high, June

Winter low30 °Faverage low, January

Hot days109days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights69nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,425base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 16 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 02 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb

Precipitation10.4 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: State Univ, NM (2 mi away); precipitation: Las Cruces 2.7 Ssw, NM (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

880018b

Las Cruces, NM · 2 mi

880468b

Mesilla, NM · 3 mi

880038b

Las Cruces, NM · 3 mi

880338b

Fairacres, NM · 6 mi

880478b

Mesilla Park, NM · 8 mi

880048b

Las Cruces, NM · 10 mi

880588b

San Miguel, NM · 11 mi

880078b

Las Cruces, NM · 12 mi

All 9 ZIP codes in Las Cruces → · New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 88006

What planting zone is ZIP code 88006?

ZIP code 88006 (Las Cruces, NM) is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 15 to 20 °F (−9.4 to −6.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Las Cruces, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 88006 is March 12; after April 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, State Univ station.

When is the first frost in Las Cruces, NM?

The median first fall frost near 88006 is November 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 241 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 88006?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 15 – Jan 29 and set transplants outside around Mar 19 – Apr 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 88006 get?

About 10.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Las Cruces 2.7 Ssw station).

How hot do summers get in Las Cruces, NM?

The average high peaks at 96 °F in June, with about 109 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 88006 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Anthony at the center of ZIP 88006: loam, well drained, pH about 8.0 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Las Cruces, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 88006 came on Feb 5 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Las Cruces, NM?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 88006 is 14 h 16 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 88006 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 88006 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.