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

Planting zone for 88040 — Hachita, NM

ZIP code 88040 (Hachita, Grant County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost October 30.

Where ZIP 88040 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 16
First frostOct 30
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 Hachita, 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 Hachita, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 16median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 1only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 30median — 10% chance by Oct 17
Growing season195 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 2 and returns around November 8.

From the NOAA station Antelope Wells, NM — 21 miles away, elevation 4,659 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 88040

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 26
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 23 – May 7
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 4 – Sep 18
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 16 – Nov 20
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 16) and first fall frost (Oct 30) 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 88040 came on Feb 5 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 13).

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.

Trees 29

Arizona cypress50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °FArizona madrone30 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −4 °FArizona sycamore80 ft · blooms early spring · high shade tolerance · to −8 °FArizona walnut50 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −33 °Fblack locust60 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −37 °Fblack walnut100 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °F

Shrubs 104

alderleaf mountain mahogany15 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −41 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican plum24 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican tarwort3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −23 °Fantelope bitterbrush6 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −36 °FApache plume6 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −23 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 232

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine bistort1 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine mountainsorrel1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °FAmerican alpine speedwell1 ft · blooms summer · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican bistort1.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Grasses 167

alkali cordgrass3 ft · blooms late summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falkali sacaton3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine timothy1.4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °Fanalogue sedge1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Farctic bluegrass2 ft · high shade tolerance · to −62 °FArizona cottontop4 ft · blooms late summer · high shade tolerance · to −13 °F

Vines 1

western white clematis1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °F

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 Hachita, NM.

Soil in Hachita, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 88040 is Lehmans — stony loam, well drained.

TextureStony loama good balance for most vegetables
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: Rough broken land and Rock land.

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 88040; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Hachita, NM

Summer high93 °Faverage high, June
Winter low26 °Faverage low, December
Hot days94days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights98nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,526base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 13 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day10 h 05 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb
Precipitation12.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 58 °F, low 27 °F 58°27° JanFebruary: average high 63 °F, low 30 °F 63°30° FebMarch: average high 70 °F, low 35 °F 70°35° MarApril: average high 77 °F, low 41 °F 77°41° AprMay: average high 85 °F, low 50 °F 85°50° MayJune: average high 93 °F, low 60 °F 93°60° JunJuly: average high 91 °F, low 65 °F 91°65° JulAugust: average high 89 °F, low 62 °F 89°62° AugSeptember: average high 86 °F, low 56 °F 86°56° SepOctober: average high 78 °F, low 44 °F 78°44° OctNovember: average high 67 °F, low 34 °F 67°34° NovDecember: average high 58 °F, low 26 °F 58°26° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″January: 0.85 in precipitation 0.8 JanFebruary: 0.43 in precipitation 0.4 FebMarch: 0.37 in precipitation 0.4 MarApril: 0.15 in precipitation 0.1 AprMay: 0.24 in precipitation 0.2 MayJune: 0.71 in precipitation 0.7 JunJuly: 3.14 in precipitation 3.1 JulAugust: 2.29 in precipitation 2.3 AugSeptember: 1.65 in precipitation 1.6 SepOctober: 0.73 in precipitation 0.7 OctNovember: 0.81 in precipitation 0.8 NovDecember: 1.06 in precipitation 1.1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Antelope Wells, NM (21 mi away); precipitation: Antelope Wells, NM (21 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

880098a
Playas, NM · 24 mi
880208a
Animas, NM · 31 mi
880568a
Rodeo, NM · 42 mi
880298a
Columbus, NM · 42 mi
880308a
Deming, NM · 54 mi
880458a
Lordsburg, NM · 55 mi
880318a
Deming, NM · 57 mi
856328a
San Simon, AZ · 58 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 88040

What planting zone is ZIP code 88040?

ZIP code 88040 (Hachita, 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 Hachita, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 88040 is April 16; after May 1 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Antelope Wells station.

When is the first frost in Hachita, NM?

The median first fall frost near 88040 is October 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 195 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 88040?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 19 – Mar 5 and set transplants outside around Apr 23 – May 7, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 88040 get?

About 12.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Antelope Wells station).

How hot do summers get in Hachita, NM?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in June, with about 94 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 88040 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lehmans at the center of ZIP 88040: stony loam, well drained, pH about 7.5 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Hachita, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 88040 came on Feb 5 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 13), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Hachita, NM?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 88040 is 14 h 13 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.