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

Planting zone for 88339 — Mayhill, NM

ZIP code 88339 (Mayhill, Otero County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 7 and the first fall frost October 11.

Where ZIP 88339 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 frostMay 7

First frostOct 11

2012 zone6b

Was 6b 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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Mayhill, 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 Mayhill, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 7median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 19only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 11median — 10% chance by Sep 27

Growing season155 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 27 and returns around October 22.

From the NOAA station Elk, NM — 3 miles away, elevation 5,935 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 88339

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 16

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 16 – Apr 30

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

TomatoesTransplant · May 14 – May 28

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 21 – Jun 4

BeansSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 16 – Aug 30

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 27 – Nov 1

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 7) and first fall frost (Oct 11) 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 88339 came on Feb 14 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 22).

average
Feb 222026
Feb 14

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.

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 Mayhill, NM.

Soil in Mayhill, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 88339 is Deama — cobbly loam, well drained.

TextureCobbly loama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.9alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Deama-Rock outcrop complex.

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 88339; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Mayhill, NM

Summer high87 °Faverage high, June

Winter low20 °Faverage low, January

Hot days20days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights151nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,856base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 20 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 58 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation15.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall13 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Elk, NM (3 mi away); precipitation: Elk, 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.

883547a

Weed, NM · 18 mi

883407a

Mescalero, NM · 21 mi

883177a

Cloudcroft, NM · 24 mi

883437b

Picacho, NM · 24 mi

883477a

Sacramento, NM · 25 mi

Ruidoso Downs, NM · 30 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 88339

What planting zone is ZIP code 88339?

ZIP code 88339 (Mayhill, 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 Mayhill, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 88339 is May 7; after May 19 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Elk station.

When is the first frost in Mayhill, NM?

The median first fall frost near 88339 is October 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 155 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 88339?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 12 – Mar 26 and set transplants outside around May 14 – May 28, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 88339 get?

About 15.7 inches of precipitation a year and 13 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Elk station).

How hot do summers get in Mayhill, NM?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in June, with about 20 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 88339 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Deama at the center of ZIP 88339: cobbly loam, well drained, pH about 7.9 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Mayhill, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 88339 came on Feb 14 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 22), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Mayhill, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 88339 is 14 h 20 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 88339 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 88339 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.