Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 30, 2026

Planting zone for 88056 — Rodeo, NM

ZIP code 88056 (Rodeo, Hidalgo County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost October 25.

Where ZIP 88056 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 frostMay 3

First frostOct 25

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 Rodeo, 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 Rodeo, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 3median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 16only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 25median — 10% chance by Oct 11

Growing season174 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 16 and returns around November 4.

From the NOAA station Portal 4 Sw, AZ — 12 miles away, elevation 5,391 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 88056

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 12

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

TomatoesTransplant · May 10 – May 24

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 17 – May 31

BeansSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 30 – Sep 13

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 11 – Nov 15

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 3) and first fall frost (Oct 25) 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 88056 came on Feb 4 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 6).

average
Feb 62026
Feb 4

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 Rodeo, NM.

Soil in Rodeo, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 88056 is Eba — very gravelly loam, well drained.

TextureVery gravelly loama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.2neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.3%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Eba very gravelly loam, 1 to 15 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 88056; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Rodeo, NM

Summer high89 °Faverage high, June

Winter low25 °Faverage low, January

Hot days29days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights136nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,390base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 14 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 04 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation19.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall4 inper year; 2 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Portal 4 Sw, AZ (12 mi away); precipitation: Portal 4 Sw, AZ (12 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

880208a

Animas, NM · 11 mi

856328a

San Simon, AZ · 18 mi

Lordsburg, NM · 38 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 88056

What planting zone is ZIP code 88056?

ZIP code 88056 (Rodeo, 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 Rodeo, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 88056 is May 3; after May 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Portal 4 Sw station.

When is the first frost in Rodeo, NM?

The median first fall frost near 88056 is October 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 174 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 88056?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 8 – Mar 22 and set transplants outside around May 10 – May 24, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 88056 get?

About 19.6 inches of precipitation a year and 4 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Portal 4 Sw station).

How hot do summers get in Rodeo, NM?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in June, with about 29 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 88056 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Eba at the center of ZIP 88056: very gravelly loam, well drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Rodeo, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 88056 came on Feb 4 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 Rodeo, NM?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 88056 is 14 h 14 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.