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

Planting zone for 88330 — Holloman Air Force Base, NM

ZIP code 88330 (Holloman Air Force Base, Otero County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost October 22.

Where ZIP 88330 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 22

First frostOct 22

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 Holloman Air Force Base, 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 Holloman Air Force Base, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 22median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 5only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 22median — 10% chance by Oct 10

Growing season183 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 8 and returns around October 31.

From the NOAA station White Sands Natl Mon, NM — 7 miles away, elevation 4,006 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 88330

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Apr 1

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 6 – May 20

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 27 – Sep 10

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 8 – Nov 12

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 22) and first fall frost (Oct 22) 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 88330 came on Feb 8 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 12).

average
Feb 122026
Feb 8

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.

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 Holloman Air Force Base, NM.

Soil in Holloman Air Force Base, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 88330 is Nasa — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH7.8slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.7%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Nasa-Yesum complex, 0 to 6 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 88330; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Holloman Air Force Base, NM

Summer high97 °Faverage high, June

Winter low22 °Faverage low, January

Hot days119days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights123nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,904base 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

Precipitation9.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: White Sands Natl Mon, NM (7 mi away); precipitation: Alamogordo 5.1 Nw, NM (7 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.

883118a

Alamogordo, NM · 7 mi

883108a

Alamogordo, NM · 10 mi

883258a

High Rolls Mountain Park, NM · 14 mi

Cloudcroft, NM · 22 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 88330

What planting zone is ZIP code 88330?

ZIP code 88330 (Holloman Air Force Base, 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 Holloman Air Force Base, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 88330 is April 22; after May 5 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, White Sands Natl Mon station.

When is the first frost in Holloman Air Force Base, NM?

The median first fall frost near 88330 is October 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 183 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 88330?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 25 – Mar 11 and set transplants outside around Apr 29 – May 13, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 88330 get?

About 9.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Alamogordo 5.1 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in Holloman Air Force Base, NM?

The average high peaks at 97 °F in June, with about 119 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 88330 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Nasa at the center of ZIP 88330: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 7.8 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Holloman Air Force Base, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 88330 came on Feb 8 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Holloman Air Force Base, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 88330 is 14 h 19 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 88330 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 88330 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.