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

Planting zone for 88256 — Loving, NM

ZIP code 88256 (Loving, Eddy County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost November 2.

Where ZIP 88256 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 6
First frostNov 2
2012 zone8a

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 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Loving, 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 Loving, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 6median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 26only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 2median — 10% chance by Oct 20
Growing season210 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 21 and returns around November 11.

From the NOAA station Waste Isolt'N Pilot Plt, NM — 14 miles away, elevation 3,412 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 88256

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 16
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 16 – Mar 30
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 20 – May 4
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 7 – Sep 21
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 19 – Nov 23
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 6) and first fall frost (Nov 2) 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 88256 came on Feb 9 — 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 5).

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 Loving, NM.

Soil in Loving, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 88256 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 88256; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Loving, NM

Summer high97 °Faverage high, June
Winter low28 °Faverage low, January
Hot days130days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights71nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,784base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 16 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day10 h 02 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb
Precipitation13.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°110°32 °FJanuary: average high 60 °F, low 28 °F 60°28° JanFebruary: average high 65 °F, low 33 °F 65°33° FebMarch: average high 74 °F, low 40 °F 74°40° MarApril: average high 81 °F, low 47 °F 81°47° AprMay: average high 90 °F, low 56 °F 90°56° MayJune: average high 97 °F, low 65 °F 97°65° JunJuly: average high 97 °F, low 69 °F 97°69° JulAugust: average high 95 °F, low 68 °F 95°68° AugSeptember: average high 89 °F, low 61 °F 89°61° SepOctober: average high 80 °F, low 49 °F 80°49° OctNovember: average high 68 °F, low 37 °F 68°37° NovDecember: average high 60 °F, low 29 °F 60°29° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″January: 0.43 in precipitation 0.4 JanFebruary: 0.44 in precipitation 0.4 FebMarch: 0.53 in precipitation 0.5 MarApril: 0.52 in precipitation 0.5 AprMay: 1.11 in precipitation 1.1 MayJune: 1.65 in precipitation 1.6 JunJuly: 1.95 in precipitation 1.9 JulAugust: 1.90 in precipitation 1.9 AugSeptember: 2.34 in precipitation 2.3 SepOctober: 1.12 in precipitation 1.1 OctNovember: 0.49 in precipitation 0.5 NovDecember: 0.66 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 0.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Waste Isolt'N Pilot Plt, NM (14 mi away); precipitation: Waste Isolt'N Pilot Plt, NM (14 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

882638a
Malaga, NM · 14 mi
797708a
Orla, TX · 23 mi
882218a
Carlsbad, NM · 26 mi
882688a
Whites City, NM · 29 mi
882528a
Jal, NM · 30 mi
882208a
Carlsbad, NM · 32 mi
797548a
Mentone, TX · 35 mi
882318a
Eunice, NM · 40 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 88256

What planting zone is ZIP code 88256?

ZIP code 88256 (Loving, 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 Loving, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 88256 is April 6; after April 26 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Waste Isolt'N Pilot Plt station.

When is the first frost in Loving, NM?

The median first fall frost near 88256 is November 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 210 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 88256?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 9 – Feb 23 and set transplants outside around Apr 13 – Apr 27, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 88256 get?

About 13.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Waste Isolt'N Pilot Plt station).

How hot do summers get in Loving, NM?

The average high peaks at 97 °F in June, with about 130 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 88256 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Berino at the center of ZIP 88256: fine sand, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Loving, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 88256 came on Feb 9 in 2026, 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 5), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Loving, NM?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 88256 is 14 h 16 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.