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

Planting zone for 88034 — Faywood, NM

ZIP code 88034 (Faywood, Grant County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost October 31.

Where ZIP 88034 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 21

First frostOct 31

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 Faywood, 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 Faywood, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 21median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostOctober 31median — 10% chance by Oct 17

Growing season191 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 4 and returns around November 9.

From the NOAA station Faywood, NM — 6 miles away, elevation 5,253 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 88034

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 31

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 28 – May 12

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 5 – May 19

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 5 – Sep 19

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 17 – Nov 21

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 21) and first fall frost (Oct 31) 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 88034 came on Feb 7 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 16).

average
Feb 162026
Feb 7

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 Faywood, NM.

Soil in Faywood, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 88034 is Lithic Haplargids — gravelly sandy clay loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly sandy clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH7.5slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Lithic Haplargids-Rock outcrop association, 15 to 75 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 88034; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Faywood, NM

Summer high92 °Faverage high, June

Winter low27 °Faverage low, January

Hot days61days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights98nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,037base 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 growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb

Precipitation12.9 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: Faywood, NM (6 mi away); precipitation: Faywood, NM (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Fort Bayard, NM · 12 mi

880627b

Silver City, NM · 14 mi

880417b

Hanover, NM · 16 mi

880267b

Santa Clara, NM · 16 mi

880227b

Arenas Valley, NM · 20 mi

880537b

Pinos Altos, NM · 26 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 88034

What planting zone is ZIP code 88034?

ZIP code 88034 (Faywood, 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 Faywood, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 88034 is April 21; after May 8 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Faywood station.

When is the first frost in Faywood, NM?

The median first fall frost near 88034 is October 31, giving a median frost-free growing season of 191 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 88034?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 24 – Mar 10 and set transplants outside around Apr 28 – May 12, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 88034 get?

About 12.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Faywood station).

How hot do summers get in Faywood, NM?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in June, with about 61 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 88034 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lithic Haplargids at the center of ZIP 88034: gravelly sandy clay loam, well drained, pH about 7.5 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Faywood, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 88034 came on Feb 7 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Faywood, NM?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 88034 is 14 h 18 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.