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

Planting zone for 88250 — Hope, NM

ZIP code 88250 (Hope, Eddy County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost November 6.

Where ZIP 88250 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.

Zone7b5 to 10 °F

Coldest night−15 to −12.2 °C

Last frostApr 1

First frostNov 6

2012 zone7b

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 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Hope, 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 Hope, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 1median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 17only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 6median — 10% chance by Oct 22

Growing season218 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 18 and returns around November 16.

From the NOAA station Hope, NM — 15 miles away, elevation 4,085 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 88250

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 11

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 11 – Mar 25

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 11 – Sep 25

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 23 – Nov 27

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 1) and first fall frost (Nov 6) 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 88250 came on Feb 12 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 14).

average
Feb 142026
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 7b in New Mexico

535 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New Mexico, and rated by the USDA to survive 5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7b. 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 Hope, NM.

Soil in Hope, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 88250 is Ector — cobbly loam, well drained.

TextureCobbly loama good balance for most vegetables

pH8.2alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Ector-Rock outcrop complex, 0 to 9 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 88250; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Hope, NM

Summer high94 °Faverage high, June

Winter low30 °Faverage low, January

Hot days94days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights81nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,183base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 18 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 00 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation12.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall3 inper year; 1 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: Hope, NM (15 mi away); precipitation: Hope, NM (15 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Lake Arthur, NM · 31 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 88250

What planting zone is ZIP code 88250?

ZIP code 88250 (Hope, NM) is in USDA hardiness zone 7b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 5 to 10 °F (−15 to −12.2 °C).

When is the last frost in Hope, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 88250 is April 1; after April 17 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hope station.

When is the first frost in Hope, NM?

The median first fall frost near 88250 is November 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 218 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 88250?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 4 – Feb 18 and set transplants outside around Apr 8 – Apr 22, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 88250 get?

About 12.9 inches of precipitation a year and 3 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hope station).

How hot do summers get in Hope, NM?

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

What kind of soil does 88250 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ector at the center of ZIP 88250: cobbly loam, well drained, pH about 8.2 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Hope, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 88250 came on Feb 12 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 14), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Hope, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 88250 is 14 h 18 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.