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

Planting zone for 88416 — Conchas Dam, NM

ZIP code 88416 (Conchas Dam, San Miguel County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 4 and the first fall frost November 2.

Where ZIP 88416 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 frostApr 4
First frostNov 2
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 Conchas Dam, 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 Conchas Dam, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 4median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 21only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 2median — 10% chance by Oct 19
Growing season210 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 23 and returns around November 12.

From the NOAA station Conchas Dam, NM — 5 miles away, elevation 4,246 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 88416

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 14
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 14 – Mar 28
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 7 – Sep 21
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 19 – Nov 23
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 4) and first fall frost (Nov 2) 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 88416 came on Feb 15 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 20).

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 Conchas Dam, NM.

Soil in Conchas Dam, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 88416 is Latom — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH8.2alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.7%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Latom-Newkirk-Rock outcrop association, rolling.

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 88416; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Conchas Dam, NM

Summer high94 °Faverage high, July
Winter low26 °Faverage low, January
Hot days91days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights100nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,775base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 33 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 45 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation15.2 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall8 inper year; 5 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 53 °F, low 26 °F 53°26° JanFebruary: average high 57 °F, low 29 °F 57°29° FebMarch: average high 65 °F, low 36 °F 65°36° MarApril: average high 72 °F, low 45 °F 72°45° AprMay: average high 81 °F, low 54 °F 81°54° MayJune: average high 92 °F, low 64 °F 92°64° JunJuly: average high 94 °F, low 68 °F 94°68° JulAugust: average high 92 °F, low 66 °F 92°66° AugSeptember: average high 85 °F, low 59 °F 85°59° SepOctober: average high 74 °F, low 46 °F 74°46° OctNovember: average high 62 °F, low 35 °F 62°35° NovDecember: average high 52 °F, low 27 °F 52°27° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″January: 0.38 in precipitation, 2.2 in snowfall 0.4❄2 JanFebruary: 0.28 in precipitation, 1.1 in snowfall 0.3❄1 FebMarch: 0.67 in precipitation, 1 in snowfall 0.7❄1 MarApril: 0.94 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 0.9 AprMay: 1.44 in precipitation 1.4 MayJune: 1.90 in precipitation 1.9 JunJuly: 2.67 in precipitation 2.7 JulAugust: 2.37 in precipitation 2.4 AugSeptember: 2.11 in precipitation 2.1 SepOctober: 1.31 in precipitation, 0.7 in snowfall 1.3❄1 OctNovember: 0.56 in precipitation, 0.9 in snowfall 0.6❄1 NovDecember: 0.59 in precipitation, 2.3 in snowfall 0.6❄2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Conchas Dam, NM (5 mi away); precipitation: Conchas Dam, NM (5 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.

884397a
Trementina, NM · 10 mi
877467a
Solano, NM · 13 mi
884217a
Garita, NM · 19 mi
884317a
Newkirk, NM · 20 mi
877336b
Mosquero, NM · 28 mi
877436b
Roy, NM · 36 mi
884017a
Tucumcari, NM · 37 mi
884177a
Cuervo, NM · 38 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 88416

What planting zone is ZIP code 88416?

ZIP code 88416 (Conchas Dam, 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 Conchas Dam, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 88416 is April 4; after April 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Conchas Dam station.

When is the first frost in Conchas Dam, NM?

The median first fall frost near 88416 is November 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 210 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 88416?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 7 – Feb 21 and set transplants outside around Apr 11 – Apr 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 88416 get?

About 15.2 inches of precipitation a year and 8 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Conchas Dam station).

How hot do summers get in Conchas Dam, NM?

The average high peaks at 94 °F in July, with about 91 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 88416 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Latom at the center of ZIP 88416: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 8.2 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Conchas Dam, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 88416 came on Feb 15 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 20), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Conchas Dam, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 88416 is 14 h 33 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 88416 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 88416 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.