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

Planting zone for 88301 — Carrizozo, NM

ZIP code 88301 (Carrizozo, Lincoln County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost October 20.

Where ZIP 88301 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.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F
Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C
Last frostApr 27
First frostOct 20
2012 zone7a

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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Carrizozo, 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 Carrizozo, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 27median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 8only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 20median — 10% chance by Oct 7
Growing season175 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 14 and returns around October 30.

From the NOAA station Carrizozo 1sw, NM — 9 miles away, elevation 5,404 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 88301

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Apr 6
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 6 – Apr 20
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16
TomatoesTransplant · May 4 – May 18
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 11 – May 25
BeansSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 25 – Sep 8
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 6 – Nov 10
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 27) and first fall frost (Oct 20) 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 88301 came on Feb 15 — 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 27).

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 7a in New Mexico

532 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New Mexico, and rated by the USDA to survive 0 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7a. 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 103

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 229

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 163

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 Carrizozo, NM.

Soil in Carrizozo, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 88301 is Clovis — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH7.6slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Clovis-Harvey association, loam surface, gently sloping.

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 88301; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Carrizozo, NM

Summer high91 °Faverage high, June
Winter low23 °Faverage low, January
Hot days64days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights130nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,692base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 24 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 54 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation13.3 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall7 inper year

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 52 °F, low 23 °F 52°23° JanFebruary: average high 58 °F, low 26 °F 58°26° FebMarch: average high 65 °F, low 32 °F 65°32° MarApril: average high 73 °F, low 38 °F 73°38° AprMay: average high 82 °F, low 47 °F 82°47° MayJune: average high 91 °F, low 55 °F 91°55° JunJuly: average high 90 °F, low 60 °F 90°60° JulAugust: average high 88 °F, low 58 °F 88°58° AugSeptember: average high 83 °F, low 52 °F 83°52° SepOctober: average high 73 °F, low 41 °F 73°41° OctNovember: average high 60 °F, low 29 °F 60°29° NovDecember: average high 51 °F, low 23 °F 51°23° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″January: 0.84 in precipitation, 2.1 in snowfall 0.8❄2 JanFebruary: 0.64 in precipitation, 0.8 in snowfall 0.6❄1 FebMarch: 0.58 in precipitation, 1 in snowfall 0.6❄1 MarApril: 0.45 in precipitation 0.5 AprMay: 0.51 in precipitation 0.5 MayJune: 0.91 in precipitation 0.9 JunJuly: 2.87 in precipitation 2.9 JulAugust: 2.19 in precipitation 2.2 AugSeptember: 1.64 in precipitation 1.6 SepOctober: 1.29 in precipitation, 0.3 in snowfall 1.3 OctNovember: 0.47 in precipitation, 0.3 in snowfall 0.5 NovDecember: 0.96 in precipitation, 2.5 in snowfall 1.0❄3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Carrizozo 1sw, NM (9 mi away); precipitation: Carrizozo 1sw, NM (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

883417a
Nogal, NM · 19 mi
870117a
Claunch, NM · 24 mi
883237a
Fort Stanton, NM · 25 mi
883127a
Alto, NM · 25 mi
883167a
Capitan, NM · 28 mi
883557a
Ruidoso, NM · 29 mi
883247b
Glencoe, NM · 29 mi
883457a
Ruidoso, NM · 29 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 88301

What planting zone is ZIP code 88301?

ZIP code 88301 (Carrizozo, NM) is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 0 to 5 °F (−17.8 to −15 °C).

When is the last frost in Carrizozo, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 88301 is April 27; after May 8 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Carrizozo 1sw station.

When is the first frost in Carrizozo, NM?

The median first fall frost near 88301 is October 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 175 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 88301?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 2 – Mar 16 and set transplants outside around May 4 – May 18, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 88301 get?

About 13.3 inches of precipitation a year and 7 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Carrizozo 1sw station).

How hot do summers get in Carrizozo, NM?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in June, with about 64 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 88301 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Clovis at the center of ZIP 88301: loam, well drained, pH about 7.6 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Carrizozo, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 88301 came on Feb 15 in 2026, 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 27), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Carrizozo, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 88301 is 14 h 24 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.