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

Planting zone for 88255 — Loco Hills, NM

ZIP code 88255 (Loco Hills, Eddy County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost October 29.

Where ZIP 88255 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 frostApr 11
First frostOct 29
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 Loco Hills, 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 Loco Hills, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 11median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 26only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 29median — 10% chance by Oct 16
Growing season198 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 29 and returns around November 5.

From the NOAA station Artesia 6s, NM — 22 miles away, elevation 3,366 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 88255

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 21
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 21 – Apr 4
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 3 – Sep 17
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 15 – Nov 19
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 11) and first fall frost (Oct 29) 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 88255 came on Feb 12 — 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 9).

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 Loco Hills, NM.

Soil in Loco Hills, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 88255 is Berino — fine sand, well drained.

TextureFine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.45%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Berino complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes, eroded.

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 88255; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Loco Hills, NM

Summer high95 °Faverage high, June
Winter low23 °Faverage low, January
Hot days109days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights111nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,922base 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
Precipitation15.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°110°32 °FJanuary: average high 58 °F, low 23 °F 58°23° JanFebruary: average high 63 °F, low 27 °F 63°27° FebMarch: average high 71 °F, low 35 °F 71°35° MarApril: average high 79 °F, low 42 °F 79°42° AprMay: average high 87 °F, low 52 °F 87°52° MayJune: average high 95 °F, low 62 °F 95°62° JunJuly: average high 95 °F, low 66 °F 95°66° JulAugust: average high 94 °F, low 64 °F 94°64° AugSeptember: average high 87 °F, low 57 °F 87°57° SepOctober: average high 78 °F, low 44 °F 78°44° OctNovember: average high 66 °F, low 32 °F 66°32° NovDecember: average high 57 °F, low 24 °F 57°24° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″January: 0.59 in precipitation 0.6 JanFebruary: 0.27 in precipitation 0.3 FebMarch: 0.68 in precipitation 0.7 MarApril: 0.58 in precipitation 0.6 AprMay: 1.84 in precipitation 1.8 MayJune: 1.60 in precipitation 1.6 JunJuly: 2.06 in precipitation 2.1 JulAugust: 2.26 in precipitation 2.3 AugSeptember: 2.74 in precipitation 2.7 SepOctober: 1.46 in precipitation 1.5 OctNovember: 0.49 in precipitation 0.5 NovDecember: 0.71 in precipitation 0.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Artesia 6s, NM (22 mi away); precipitation: Maljamar, NM (14 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.

882108a
Artesia, NM · 13 mi
882648a
Maljamar, NM · 17 mi
882327b
Hagerman, NM · 19 mi
882117b
Artesia, NM · 20 mi
882548a
Lakewood, NM · 27 mi
882037b
Roswell, NM · 33 mi
882408a
Hobbs, NM · 33 mi
882307b
Dexter, NM · 36 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 88255

What planting zone is ZIP code 88255?

ZIP code 88255 (Loco Hills, 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 Loco Hills, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 88255 is April 11; after April 26 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Artesia 6s station.

When is the first frost in Loco Hills, NM?

The median first fall frost near 88255 is October 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 198 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 88255?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 14 – Feb 28 and set transplants outside around Apr 18 – May 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 88255 get?

About 15.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Maljamar station).

How hot do summers get in Loco Hills, NM?

The average high peaks at 95 °F in June, with about 109 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 88255 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Berino at the center of ZIP 88255: fine sand, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Loco Hills, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 88255 came on Feb 12 in 2026, 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 9), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Loco Hills, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 88255 is 14 h 19 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 88255 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 88255 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.