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

Planting zone for 88414 — Capulin, NM

ZIP code 88414 (Capulin, Union County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 17 and the first fall frost October 1.

Where ZIP 88414 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.

Zone5b−15 to −10 °F

Coldest night−26.1 to −23.3 °C

Last frostMay 17

First frostOct 1

2012 zone6a

Was 6a on the 2012 map — half a zone colder now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Capulin, 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 Capulin, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 17median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 1only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 1median — 10% chance by Sep 19

Growing season136 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 5 and returns around October 8.

From the NOAA station Capulin, NM — 3 miles away, elevation 6,841 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 88414

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 26

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 26 – May 10

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

TomatoesTransplant · May 24 – Jun 7

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 31 – Jun 14

BeansSow outdoors · May 24 – Jun 7

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 24 – Jun 7

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 24 – Jun 7

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 6 – Aug 20

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 17 – Oct 22

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 17) and first fall frost (Oct 1) 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 88414 came on Mar 6 — 25 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 31).

average
Mar 312026
Mar 6

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 5b in New Mexico

481 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New Mexico, and rated by the USDA to survive −15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5b. 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 Capulin, NM.

Soil in Capulin, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 88414 is Apache — 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 matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Apache-Ayon complex, 1 to 9 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 88414; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Capulin, NM

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July

Winter low14 °Faverage low, December

Hot days16days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights183nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,419base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 41 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 38 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation17.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall41 inper year; 40 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Capulin, NM (3 mi away); precipitation: Capulin, NM (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

877406a

Raton, NM · 19 mi

810816a

Trinchera, CO · 21 mi

884186b

Des Moines, NM · 21 mi

884196b

Folsom, NM · 28 mi

884226a

Gladstone, NM · 30 mi

884246b

Grenville, NM · 31 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 88414

What planting zone is ZIP code 88414?

ZIP code 88414 (Capulin, NM) is in USDA hardiness zone 5b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −15 to −10 °F (−26.1 to −23.3 °C).

When is the last frost in Capulin, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 88414 is May 17; after June 1 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Capulin station.

When is the first frost in Capulin, NM?

The median first fall frost near 88414 is October 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 136 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 88414?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 22 – Apr 5 and set transplants outside around May 24 – Jun 7, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 88414 get?

About 17.6 inches of precipitation a year and 41 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Capulin station).

How hot do summers get in Capulin, NM?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 16 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 88414 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Apache at the center of ZIP 88414: cobbly loam, well drained, pH about 7.9 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Capulin, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 88414 came on Mar 6 in 2026, 25 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 31), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Capulin, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 88414 is 14 h 41 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 88414 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 88414 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.