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

Planting zone for 88342 — Orogrande, NM

ZIP code 88342 (Orogrande, Otero County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 24 and the first fall frost November 7.

Where ZIP 88342 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 24

First frostNov 7

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 Orogrande, 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 Orogrande, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 24median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 9only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 7median — 10% chance by Oct 24

Growing season225 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 8 and returns around November 17.

From the NOAA station Orogrande, NM — within 1 mile, elevation 4,223 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 88342

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 10 – Mar 3

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 3 – Mar 17

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 12 – Sep 26

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 24 – Nov 28

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 24) and first fall frost (Nov 7) 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 88342 came on Feb 7 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 9).

average
Feb 92026
Feb 7

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 Orogrande, NM.

Soil in Orogrande, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 88342 is Pintura — loamy fine sand, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureLoamy fine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH8.2alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.35%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Pintura-Dona Ana complex, 0 to 5 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 88342; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Orogrande, NM

Summer high97 °Faverage high, June

Winter low29 °Faverage low, January

Hot days112days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights73nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,464base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 17 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 01 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb

Precipitation12.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall2 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Orogrande, NM (within 1 mile); precipitation: Orogrande, NM (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

880818b

Chaparral, NM · 16 mi

880028b

White Sands Missile Range, NM · 20 mi

883108a

Alamogordo, NM · 24 mi

880118b

Las Cruces, NM · 27 mi

880528b

Organ, NM · 29 mi

883118a

Alamogordo, NM · 30 mi

883507b

Timberon, NM · 31 mi

883308a

Holloman Air Force Base, NM · 33 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 88342

What planting zone is ZIP code 88342?

ZIP code 88342 (Orogrande, 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 Orogrande, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 88342 is March 24; after April 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Orogrande station.

When is the first frost in Orogrande, NM?

The median first fall frost near 88342 is November 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 225 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 88342?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 27 – Feb 10 and set transplants outside around Mar 31 – Apr 14, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 88342 get?

About 12.4 inches of precipitation a year and 2 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Orogrande station).

How hot do summers get in Orogrande, NM?

The average high peaks at 97 °F in June, with about 112 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 88342 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Pintura at the center of ZIP 88342: loamy fine sand, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 8.2 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Orogrande, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 88342 came on Feb 7 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 9), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Orogrande, NM?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 88342 is 14 h 17 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.