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

Planting zone for 88130 — Portales, NM

ZIP code 88130 (Portales, Roosevelt County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost October 26.

Where ZIP 88130 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 15

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 Portales, 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 Portales, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 15median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 30only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 26median — 10% chance by Oct 12

Growing season193 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 2 and returns around November 4.

From the NOAA station Portales, NM — 3 miles away, elevation 4,009 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 88130

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 25

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 22 – May 6

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

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 15) 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 88130 came on Feb 14 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 21).

average
Feb 212026
Feb 14

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.

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 Portales, NM.

Soil in Portales, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 88130 is Midessa — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH8.2alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.55%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Midessa fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 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 88130; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Portales, NM

Summer high93 °Faverage high, June

Winter low26 °Faverage low, January

Hot days86days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights104nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,755base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 26 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 52 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation16.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall8 inper year; 3 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: Portales, NM (3 mi away); precipitation: Portales, NM (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

881157b

Dora, NM · 14 mi

881037b

Cannon Afb, NM · 17 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 88130

What planting zone is ZIP code 88130?

ZIP code 88130 (Portales, 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 Portales, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 88130 is April 15; after April 30 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Portales station.

When is the first frost in Portales, NM?

The median first fall frost near 88130 is October 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 193 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 88130?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 18 – Mar 4 and set transplants outside around Apr 22 – May 6, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 88130 get?

About 16.1 inches of precipitation a year and 8 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Portales station).

How hot do summers get in Portales, NM?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in June, with about 86 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 88130 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Midessa at the center of ZIP 88130: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 8.2 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Portales, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 88130 came on Feb 14 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 21), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Portales, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 88130 is 14 h 26 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.