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

Planting zone for 88348 — San Patricio, NM

ZIP code 88348 (San Patricio, Lincoln County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost October 12.

Where ZIP 88348 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.

Zone7b5 to 10 °F
Coldest night−15 to −12.2 °C
Last frostMay 3
First frostOct 12
2012 zone7a

Was 7a 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 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for San Patricio, 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 San Patricio, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 3median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 17only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 12median — 10% chance by Oct 1
Growing season161 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 24 and returns around October 24.

From the NOAA station Capitan, NM — 14 miles away, elevation 6,480 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 88348

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 12
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
TomatoesTransplant · May 10 – May 24
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 17 – May 31
BeansSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 17 – Aug 31
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 28 – Nov 2
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 3) and first fall frost (Oct 12) 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 88348 came on Feb 14 — 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 24).

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 7b in New Mexico

535 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New Mexico, and rated by the USDA to survive 5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7b. 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 166

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 San Patricio, NM.

Soil in San Patricio, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 88348 is Deama — very cobbly loam, well drained.

TextureVery cobbly loama good balance for most vegetables
pH8.2alkaline; 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 association, very steep.

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 88348; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in San Patricio, NM

Summer high87 °Faverage high, June
Winter low24 °Faverage low, January
Hot days16days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights141nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,819base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 22 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 56 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation16.6 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall27 inper year; 12 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 51 °F, low 24 °F 51°24° JanFebruary: average high 55 °F, low 27 °F 55°27° FebMarch: average high 62 °F, low 30 °F 62°30° MarApril: average high 69 °F, low 36 °F 69°36° AprMay: average high 77 °F, low 44 °F 77°44° MayJune: average high 87 °F, low 51 °F 87°51° JunJuly: average high 85 °F, low 55 °F 85°55° JulAugust: average high 83 °F, low 54 °F 83°54° AugSeptember: average high 78 °F, low 48 °F 78°48° SepOctober: average high 70 °F, low 38 °F 70°38° OctNovember: average high 60 °F, low 30 °F 60°30° NovDecember: average high 50 °F, low 24 °F 50°24° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″January: 0.65 in precipitation, 6.1 in snowfall 0.7❄6 JanFebruary: 0.51 in precipitation, 3.6 in snowfall 0.5❄4 FebMarch: 0.61 in precipitation, 5.3 in snowfall 0.6❄5 MarApril: 0.36 in precipitation, 1.1 in snowfall 0.4❄1 AprMay: 0.98 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 1.0 MayJune: 1.69 in precipitation 1.7 JunJuly: 3.62 in precipitation 3.6 JulAugust: 2.70 in precipitation 2.7 AugSeptember: 2.33 in precipitation 2.3 SepOctober: 1.13 in precipitation, 1 in snowfall 1.1❄1 OctNovember: 1.10 in precipitation, 1.4 in snowfall 1.1❄1 NovDecember: 0.88 in precipitation, 8.7 in snowfall 0.9❄9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Capitan, NM (14 mi away); precipitation: Capitan, NM (14 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

883247b
Glencoe, NM · 7 mi
883387a
Lincoln, NM · 9 mi
883467a
Ruidoso Downs, NM · 9 mi
883367b
Hondo, NM · 9 mi
883237a
Fort Stanton, NM · 11 mi
883127a
Alto, NM · 14 mi
883557a
Ruidoso, NM · 16 mi
883457a
Ruidoso, NM · 16 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 88348

What planting zone is ZIP code 88348?

ZIP code 88348 (San Patricio, NM) is in USDA hardiness zone 7b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 5 to 10 °F (−15 to −12.2 °C).

When is the last frost in San Patricio, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 88348 is May 3; after May 17 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Capitan station.

When is the first frost in San Patricio, NM?

The median first fall frost near 88348 is October 12, giving a median frost-free growing season of 161 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 88348?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 8 – Mar 22 and set transplants outside around May 10 – May 24, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 88348 get?

About 16.6 inches of precipitation a year and 27 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Capitan station).

How hot do summers get in San Patricio, NM?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in June, with about 16 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 88348 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Deama at the center of ZIP 88348: very cobbly loam, well drained, pH about 8.2 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in San Patricio, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 88348 came on Feb 14 in 2026, 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in San Patricio, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 88348 is 14 h 22 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 88348 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 88348 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.