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

Planting zone for 88417 — Cuervo, NM

ZIP code 88417 (Cuervo, Guadalupe County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost October 21.

Where ZIP 88417 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 21
First frostOct 21
2012 zone6b

Was 6b 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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Cuervo, 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 Cuervo, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 21median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 5only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 21median — 10% chance by Oct 7
Growing season183 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 7 and returns around October 30.

From the NOAA station Newkirk, NM — 10 miles away, elevation 4,564 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 88417

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 31
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 28 – May 12
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 5 – May 19
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 26 – Sep 9
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 7 – Nov 11
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 21) and first fall frost (Oct 21) 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 88417 came on Feb 19 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 2).

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.

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 163

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 Cuervo, NM.

Soil in Cuervo, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 88417 is Conger — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH8.2alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Conger-Hilken loams, 0 to 3 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 88417; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Cuervo, NM

Summer high94 °Faverage high, July
Winter low23 °Faverage low, January
Hot days82days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights112nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,347base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 30 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 48 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation14.6 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall15 inper year

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 55 °F, low 23 °F 55°23° JanFebruary: average high 58 °F, low 26 °F 58°26° FebMarch: average high 66 °F, low 33 °F 66°33° MarApril: average high 75 °F, low 40 °F 75°40° AprMay: average high 83 °F, low 50 °F 83°50° MayJune: average high 92 °F, low 59 °F 92°59° JunJuly: average high 94 °F, low 64 °F 94°64° JulAugust: average high 92 °F, low 62 °F 92°62° AugSeptember: average high 86 °F, low 55 °F 86°55° SepOctober: average high 75 °F, low 43 °F 75°43° OctNovember: average high 62 °F, low 31 °F 62°31° NovDecember: average high 54 °F, low 24 °F 54°24° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″January: 0.47 in precipitation, 3.5 in snowfall 0.5❄4 JanFebruary: 0.29 in precipitation, 0.7 in snowfall 0.3❄1 FebMarch: 0.81 in precipitation, 1.8 in snowfall 0.8❄2 MarApril: 1.12 in precipitation, 0.6 in snowfall 1.1❄1 AprMay: 1.32 in precipitation 1.3 MayJune: 1.34 in precipitation 1.3 JunJuly: 2.10 in precipitation 2.1 JulAugust: 2.51 in precipitation 2.5 AugSeptember: 2.02 in precipitation 2.0 SepOctober: 1.42 in precipitation, 0.5 in snowfall 1.4❄1 OctNovember: 0.46 in precipitation, 1.5 in snowfall 0.5❄2 NovDecember: 0.72 in precipitation, 6.6 in snowfall 0.7❄7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Newkirk, NM (10 mi away); precipitation: Newkirk, NM (10 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

884317a
Newkirk, NM · 20 mi
881217a
House, NM · 23 mi
884337a
Quay, NM · 26 mi
884017a
Tucumcari, NM · 28 mi
884277a
Mcalister, NM · 29 mi
884217a
Garita, NM · 31 mi
884167b
Conchas Dam, NM · 38 mi
884397a
Trementina, NM · 40 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 88417

What planting zone is ZIP code 88417?

ZIP code 88417 (Cuervo, 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 Cuervo, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 88417 is April 21; after May 5 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Newkirk station.

When is the first frost in Cuervo, NM?

The median first fall frost near 88417 is October 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 183 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 88417?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 24 – Mar 10 and set transplants outside around Apr 28 – May 12, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 88417 get?

About 14.6 inches of precipitation a year and 15 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Newkirk station).

How hot do summers get in Cuervo, NM?

The average high peaks at 94 °F in July, with about 82 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 88417 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Conger at the center of ZIP 88417: loam, well drained, pH about 8.2 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Cuervo, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 88417 came on Feb 19 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 2), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Cuervo, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 88417 is 14 h 30 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 88417 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 88417 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.