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

Planting zone for 88244 — Hobbs, NM

ZIP code 88244 (Hobbs, Lea County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost November 10.

Where ZIP 88244 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 frostMar 28
First frostNov 10
2012 zone7b

Was 7b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. 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 Hobbs, 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 Hobbs, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 28median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 13only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 10median — 10% chance by Oct 27
Growing season225 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 13 and returns around November 19.

From the NOAA station Hobbs, NM — 6 miles away, elevation 3,662 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 88244

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 14 – Mar 7
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 17 – Jan 31
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 7 – Mar 21
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 4 – Apr 18
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 17 – Jan 31
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 15 – Sep 29
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 27 – Dec 1
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 28) and first fall frost (Nov 10) 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 88244 came on Feb 11 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 12).

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 Hobbs, NM.

Soil in Hobbs, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 88244 is Kimbrough — gravelly loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly loama good balance for most vegetables
pH7.8slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2.9%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Kimbrough-Lea complex, dry, 0 to 3 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 88244; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Hobbs, NM

Summer high94 °Faverage high, July
Winter low30 °Faverage low, January
Hot days104days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights72nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,298base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 19 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 59 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation14 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 55 °F, low 30 °F 55°30° JanFebruary: average high 61 °F, low 33 °F 61°33° FebMarch: average high 69 °F, low 40 °F 69°40° MarApril: average high 77 °F, low 48 °F 77°48° AprMay: average high 85 °F, low 57 °F 85°57° MayJune: average high 93 °F, low 65 °F 93°65° JunJuly: average high 94 °F, low 69 °F 94°69° JulAugust: average high 92 °F, low 68 °F 92°68° AugSeptember: average high 85 °F, low 61 °F 85°61° SepOctober: average high 76 °F, low 50 °F 76°50° OctNovember: average high 64 °F, low 38 °F 64°38° NovDecember: average high 56 °F, low 31 °F 56°31° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″January: 0.46 in precipitation 0.5 JanFebruary: 0.42 in precipitation 0.4 FebMarch: 0.66 in precipitation 0.7 MarApril: 0.71 in precipitation 0.7 AprMay: 1.50 in precipitation 1.5 MayJune: 1.44 in precipitation 1.4 JunJuly: 1.81 in precipitation 1.8 JulAugust: 1.92 in precipitation 1.9 AugSeptember: 2.64 in precipitation 2.6 SepOctober: 1.20 in precipitation 1.2 OctNovember: 0.59 in precipitation 0.6 NovDecember: 0.61 in precipitation 0.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Hobbs, NM (6 mi away); precipitation: Hobbs Faa, NM (5 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.

882418a
Hobbs, NM · 1 mi
882428a
Hobbs, NM · 5 mi
882658a
Monument, NM · 14 mi
882408a
Hobbs, NM · 14 mi
882607b
Lovington, NM · 18 mi
793238a
Denver City, TX · 22 mi
882318a
Eunice, NM · 24 mi
882627b
Mcdonald, NM · 27 mi

All 4 ZIP codes in Hobbs → · New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 88244

What planting zone is ZIP code 88244?

ZIP code 88244 (Hobbs, 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 Hobbs, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 88244 is March 28; after April 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hobbs station.

When is the first frost in Hobbs, NM?

The median first fall frost near 88244 is November 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 225 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 88244?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 31 – Feb 14 and set transplants outside around Apr 4 – Apr 18, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 88244 get?

About 14 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hobbs Faa station).

How hot do summers get in Hobbs, NM?

The average high peaks at 94 °F in July, with about 104 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 88244 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Kimbrough at the center of ZIP 88244: gravelly loam, well drained, pH about 7.8 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Hobbs, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 88244 came on Feb 11 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Hobbs, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 88244 is 14 h 19 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 88244 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 88244 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.