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

Planting zone for 88028 — Cliff, NM

ZIP code 88028 (Cliff, Grant County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost October 15.

Where ZIP 88028 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.

Zone7b5 to 10 °F
Coldest night−15 to −12.2 °C
Last frostMay 9
First frostOct 15
2012 zone7b

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 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Cliff, 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 Cliff, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 9median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 24only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 15median — 10% chance by Oct 3
Growing season157 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 28 and returns around October 25.

From the NOAA station Cliff 11 Se, NM — 13 miles away, elevation 4,774 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 88028

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 18
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
TomatoesTransplant · May 16 – May 30
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 23 – Jun 6
BeansSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 20 – Sep 3
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 1 – Nov 5
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 9) and first fall frost (Oct 15) 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 88028 came on Feb 6 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 15).

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 Cliff, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 88028 is Luzena — gravelly loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Luzena-Rock outcrop association, 10 to 35 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 88028; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Cliff, NM

Summer high91 °Faverage high, June
Winter low20 °Faverage low, January
Hot days65days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights156nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,393base 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
Precipitation14.4 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall2 inper year

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 55 °F, low 20 °F 55°20° JanFebruary: average high 60 °F, low 24 °F 60°24° FebMarch: average high 67 °F, low 28 °F 67°28° MarApril: average high 74 °F, low 33 °F 74°33° AprMay: average high 82 °F, low 41 °F 82°41° MayJune: average high 91 °F, low 50 °F 91°50° JunJuly: average high 91 °F, low 59 °F 91°59° JulAugust: average high 89 °F, low 58 °F 89°58° AugSeptember: average high 85 °F, low 50 °F 85°50° SepOctober: average high 76 °F, low 38 °F 76°38° OctNovember: average high 64 °F, low 26 °F 64°26° NovDecember: average high 55 °F, low 21 °F 55°21° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″January: 1.19 in precipitation, 1.3 in snowfall 1.2❄1 JanFebruary: 1.04 in precipitation, 0.3 in snowfall 1.0 FebMarch: 0.72 in precipitation 0.7 MarApril: 0.23 in precipitation 0.2 AprMay: 0.36 in precipitation 0.4 MayJune: 0.50 in precipitation 0.5 JunJuly: 2.77 in precipitation 2.8 JulAugust: 2.36 in precipitation 2.4 AugSeptember: 2.00 in precipitation 2.0 SepOctober: 1.07 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 1.1 OctNovember: 0.84 in precipitation 0.8 NovDecember: 1.29 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 1.3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Cliff 11 Se, NM (13 mi away); precipitation: Buckhorn, NM (6 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.

880257b
Buckhorn, NM · 10 mi
880517b
Mule Creek, NM · 15 mi
880557b
Redrock, NM · 17 mi
880387b
Gila, NM · 21 mi
880397a
Glenwood, NM · 23 mi
880537b
Pinos Altos, NM · 27 mi
880657b
Tyrone, NM · 28 mi
880617b
Silver City, NM · 28 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 88028

What planting zone is ZIP code 88028?

ZIP code 88028 (Cliff, NM) is in USDA hardiness zone 7b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 5 to 10 °F (−15 to −12.2 °C).

When is the last frost in Cliff, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 88028 is May 9; after May 24 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cliff 11 Se station.

When is the first frost in Cliff, NM?

The median first fall frost near 88028 is October 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 157 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 88028?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 14 – Mar 28 and set transplants outside around May 16 – May 30, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 88028 get?

About 14.4 inches of precipitation a year and 2 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Buckhorn station).

How hot do summers get in Cliff, NM?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in June, with about 65 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 88028 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Luzena at the center of ZIP 88028: gravelly loam, well drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Cliff, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 88028 came on Feb 6 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 15), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Cliff, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 88028 is 14 h 20 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.