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

Planting zone for 88418 — Des Moines, NM

ZIP code 88418 (Des Moines, Union County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost October 9.

Where ZIP 88418 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.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F

Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C

Last frostMay 5

First frostOct 9

2012 zone6a

Was 6a 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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Des Moines, 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 Des Moines, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 5median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 20only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 9median — 10% chance by Sep 27

Growing season156 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 26 and returns around October 17.

From the NOAA station Grenville, NM — 11 miles away, elevation 6,001 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 88418

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 14

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

TomatoesTransplant · May 12 – May 26

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 19 – Jun 2

BeansSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 14 – Aug 28

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 25 – Oct 30

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 5) and first fall frost (Oct 9) 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 88418 came on Mar 1 — 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 17).

average
Mar 172026
Mar 1

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 6b in New Mexico

515 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 6b. 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 Des Moines, NM.

Soil in Des Moines, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 88418 is Texline — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH8.2alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Texline loam, cool, 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 88418; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Des Moines, NM

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July

Winter low20 °Faverage low, January

Hot days30days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights153nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,874base 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

Precipitation16.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall18 inper year; 7 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: Grenville, NM (11 mi away); precipitation: Grenville, NM (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Grenville, NM · 22 mi

884156b

Clayton, NM · 32 mi

884226a

Gladstone, NM · 34 mi

810276a

Branson, CO · 35 mi

810816a

Trinchera, CO · 36 mi

877406a

Raton, NM · 40 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 88418

What planting zone is ZIP code 88418?

ZIP code 88418 (Des Moines, NM) is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −5 to 0 °F (−20.6 to −17.8 °C).

When is the last frost in Des Moines, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 88418 is May 5; after May 20 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Grenville station.

When is the first frost in Des Moines, NM?

The median first fall frost near 88418 is October 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 156 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 88418?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 10 – Mar 24 and set transplants outside around May 12 – May 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 88418 get?

About 16.6 inches of precipitation a year and 18 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Grenville station).

How hot do summers get in Des Moines, NM?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 30 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 88418 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Texline at the center of ZIP 88418: loam, well drained, pH about 8.2 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Des Moines, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 88418 came on Mar 1 in 2026, 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 17), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Des Moines, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 88418 is 14 h 41 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 88418 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 88418 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.