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

Planting zone for 88421 — Garita, NM

ZIP code 88421 (Garita, San Miguel County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 4 and the first fall frost November 2.

Where ZIP 88421 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 4

First frostNov 2

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 Garita, 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 Garita, 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 — 18 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 88421

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 88421 came on Feb 15 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 24).

average
Feb 242026
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 Garita, NM.

Soil in Garita, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 88421 is Conchas — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama 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 groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Conchas-Latom association, undulating.

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 88421; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Garita, 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 46 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

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Conchas Dam, NM (18 mi away); precipitation: Conchas Dam, NM (18 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

884317a

Newkirk, NM · 12 mi

884397a

Trementina, NM · 13 mi

884167b

Conchas Dam, NM · 19 mi

877016b

Las Vegas, NM · 29 mi

Santa Rosa, NM · 36 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 88421

What planting zone is ZIP code 88421?

ZIP code 88421 (Garita, 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 Garita, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 88421 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 Garita, NM?

The median first fall frost near 88421 is November 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 210 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 88421?

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 88421 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 Garita, 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 88421 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Conchas at the center of ZIP 88421: loam, well drained, pH about 7.9 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Garita, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 88421 came on Feb 15 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Garita, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 88421 is 14 h 33 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 88421 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 88421 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.