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

Planting zone for 88264 — Maljamar, NM

ZIP code 88264 (Maljamar, 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 13.

Where ZIP 88264 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 13
2012 zone7a

Was 7a on the 2012 map — a full 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 Maljamar, 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 Maljamar, 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 15only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 13median — 10% chance by Oct 30
Growing season230 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 10 and returns around November 23.

From the NOAA station Hobbs 13w, NM — 23 miles away, elevation 3,835 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 88264

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 18 – Oct 2
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 30 – Dec 4
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 28) and first fall frost (Nov 13) 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 88264 came on Feb 12 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 11).

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).

Soil in Maljamar, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 88264 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 88264; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Maljamar, NM

Summer high94 °Faverage high, June
Winter low30 °Faverage low, January
Hot days101days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights64nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,429base 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

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 58 °F, low 30 °F 58°30° JanFebruary: average high 63 °F, low 34 °F 63°34° FebMarch: average high 71 °F, low 40 °F 71°40° MarApril: average high 79 °F, low 46 °F 79°46° AprMay: average high 86 °F, low 56 °F 86°56° MayJune: average high 94 °F, low 65 °F 94°65° JunJuly: average high 92 °F, low 68 °F 92°68° JulAugust: average high 93 °F, low 67 °F 93°67° AugSeptember: average high 86 °F, low 61 °F 86°61° SepOctober: average high 79 °F, low 50 °F 79°50° OctNovember: average high 66 °F, low 39 °F 66°39° NovDecember: average high 58 °F, low 31 °F 58°31° 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: Hobbs 13w, NM (23 mi away); precipitation: Maljamar, NM (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

882558a
Loco Hills, NM · 17 mi
882408a
Hobbs, NM · 20 mi
882607b
Lovington, NM · 21 mi
882627b
Mcdonald, NM · 25 mi
882658a
Monument, NM · 29 mi
882327b
Hagerman, NM · 29 mi
882448a
Hobbs, NM · 29 mi
882418a
Hobbs, NM · 30 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 88264

What planting zone is ZIP code 88264?

ZIP code 88264 (Maljamar, 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 Maljamar, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 88264 is March 28; after April 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hobbs 13w station.

When is the first frost in Maljamar, NM?

The median first fall frost near 88264 is November 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 230 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 88264?

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 88264 get?

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

How hot do summers get in Maljamar, NM?

The average high peaks at 94 °F in June, with about 101 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 88264 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Kimbrough at the center of ZIP 88264: gravelly loam, well drained, pH about 7.8 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Maljamar, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 88264 came on Feb 12 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 11), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Maljamar, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 88264 is 14 h 19 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 88264 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 88264 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.