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

Planting zone for 88401 — Tucumcari, NM

ZIP code 88401 (Tucumcari, Quay County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost October 25.

Where ZIP 88401 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 18

First frostOct 25

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 Tucumcari, 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 Tucumcari, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 18median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 2only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 25median — 10% chance by Oct 11

Growing season189 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 4 and returns around November 4.

From the NOAA station Tucumcari 4 Ne, NM — 10 miles away, elevation 4,085 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 88401

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 28

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 28 – Apr 11

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 2 – May 16

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 30 – Sep 13

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 11 – Nov 15

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 18) and first fall frost (Oct 25) 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 88401 came on Feb 15 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 22).

average
Feb 222026
Feb 15

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 Tucumcari, NM.

Soil in Tucumcari, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 88401 is Canez — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH7.5slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.85%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Canez fine sandy loam, 1 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 88401; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Tucumcari, NM

Summer high95 °Faverage high, July

Winter low25 °Faverage low, January

Hot days92days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights101nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,624base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 31 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 47 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation15.4 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: Tucumcari 4 Ne, NM (10 mi away); precipitation: Tucumcari 4.0 Nw, NM (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

884337a

Quay, NM · 11 mi

884277a

Mcalister, NM · 20 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 88401

What planting zone is ZIP code 88401?

ZIP code 88401 (Tucumcari, 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 Tucumcari, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 88401 is April 18; after May 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tucumcari 4 Ne station.

When is the first frost in Tucumcari, NM?

The median first fall frost near 88401 is October 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 189 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 88401?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 21 – Mar 7 and set transplants outside around Apr 25 – May 9, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 88401 get?

About 15.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tucumcari 4.0 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in Tucumcari, NM?

The average high peaks at 95 °F in July, with about 92 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 88401 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Canez at the center of ZIP 88401: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 7.5 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Tucumcari, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 88401 came on Feb 15 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 22), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Tucumcari, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 88401 is 14 h 31 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.