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

Planting zone for 88119 — Fort Sumner, NM

ZIP code 88119 (Fort Sumner, DeBaca County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost October 26.

Where ZIP 88119 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.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F
Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C
Last frostApr 18
First frostOct 26
2012 zone7a

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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Fort Sumner, 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 Fort Sumner, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 18median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 1only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 26median — 10% chance by Oct 14
Growing season190 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 3 and returns around November 3.

From the NOAA station Ft Sumner 5 S, NM — 7 miles away, elevation 4,049 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 88119

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 28
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 28 – Apr 11
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 2 – May 16
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 31 – Sep 14
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 12 – Nov 16
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 18) and first fall frost (Oct 26) 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 88119 came on Feb 15 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 20).

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 7a in New Mexico

532 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New Mexico, and rated by the USDA to survive 0 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7a. 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 103

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 229

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 163

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 Fort Sumner, NM.

Soil in Fort Sumner, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 88119 is Pojo — loamy fine sand, well drained.

TextureLoamy fine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH8.2alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Pojo-Kolar loamy fine sands, 0 to 5 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 88119; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Fort Sumner, NM

Summer high95 °Faverage high, June
Winter low23 °Faverage low, January
Hot days106days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights120nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,607base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 27 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 51 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation14.6 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall12 inper year; 3 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°110°32 °FJanuary: average high 56 °F, low 23 °F 56°23° JanFebruary: average high 60 °F, low 27 °F 60°27° FebMarch: average high 70 °F, low 34 °F 70°34° MarApril: average high 78 °F, low 40 °F 78°40° AprMay: average high 86 °F, low 50 °F 86°50° MayJune: average high 95 °F, low 60 °F 95°60° JunJuly: average high 95 °F, low 65 °F 95°65° JulAugust: average high 93 °F, low 63 °F 93°63° AugSeptember: average high 87 °F, low 55 °F 87°55° SepOctober: average high 76 °F, low 43 °F 76°43° OctNovember: average high 63 °F, low 28 °F 63°28° NovDecember: average high 55 °F, low 23 °F 55°23° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″January: 0.38 in precipitation, 3.1 in snowfall 0.4❄3 JanFebruary: 0.33 in precipitation, 2.1 in snowfall 0.3❄2 FebMarch: 0.68 in precipitation, 0.8 in snowfall 0.7❄1 MarApril: 0.80 in precipitation, 0.5 in snowfall 0.8❄1 AprMay: 1.07 in precipitation 1.1 MayJune: 1.38 in precipitation 1.4 JunJuly: 2.62 in precipitation 2.6 JulAugust: 2.64 in precipitation 2.6 AugSeptember: 1.81 in precipitation 1.8 SepOctober: 1.84 in precipitation, 0.4 in snowfall 1.8 OctNovember: 0.50 in precipitation, 1.3 in snowfall 0.5❄1 NovDecember: 0.50 in precipitation, 3.6 in snowfall 0.5❄4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Ft Sumner 5 S, NM (7 mi away); precipitation: Ft Sumner 5 S, NM (7 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.

881347a
Taiban, NM · 20 mi
881367a
Yeso, NM · 27 mi
881217a
House, NM · 31 mi
884177a
Cuervo, NM · 40 mi
884357a
Santa Rosa, NM · 45 mi
881167b
Elida, NM · 45 mi
884277a
Mcalister, NM · 45 mi
881227b
Kenna, NM · 49 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 88119

What planting zone is ZIP code 88119?

ZIP code 88119 (Fort Sumner, NM) is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 0 to 5 °F (−17.8 to −15 °C).

When is the last frost in Fort Sumner, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 88119 is April 18; after May 1 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ft Sumner 5 S station.

When is the first frost in Fort Sumner, NM?

The median first fall frost near 88119 is October 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 190 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 88119?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 21 – Mar 7 and set transplants outside around Apr 25 – May 9, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 88119 get?

About 14.6 inches of precipitation a year and 12 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ft Sumner 5 S station).

How hot do summers get in Fort Sumner, NM?

The average high peaks at 95 °F in June, with about 106 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 88119 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Pojo at the center of ZIP 88119: loamy fine sand, well drained, pH about 8.2 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Fort Sumner, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 88119 came on Feb 15 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 20), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Fort Sumner, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 88119 is 14 h 27 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.