When to plant in Raton, NM
Planting dates worked out from Raton's own frost records, not a generic zone chart.
Last spring frost
- Early · riskyMay 69 years in 10 still get a later frost
- TypicalMay 16about half of years get a later frost
- Safe to plant outMay 261 year in 10 gets a later frost
Hardy crops like peas and spinach are timed from the typical date. Wait for the safe date before planting out tomatoes, peppers and squash.
First fall frost
- EarlySep 131 year in 10 has frost by then
- TypicalSep 25about half of years have had frost
- LateOct 69 years in 10 have had frost by then
A typical year has 137 frost-free days. Plan for tender crops to be ripe by the early date.
Station used: Raton Krtn Radio · 1.9 km away · station 2024 m, town 2036 m. How we match towns to stations
Plan your garden.
Planting dates for common crops
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out or sow | Harvest from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | May 26 – Jun 9 | Jul 20 |
| Sweet pepper | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | May 26 – Jun 9 | Jul 25 |
| Lettuce (leaf) | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2 | May 28 |
| Peas | — | Apr 4 – May 2 | May 29 |
| Bush beans | — | May 19 – Jun 9 | Jul 8 |
| Carrot | — | Apr 25 – Jun 6 | Jun 24 |
| Beet | — | Apr 18 – May 30 | Jun 7 |
| Potato | — | Apr 25 – May 16 | Jul 4 |
| Kale | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2 | May 31 |
| Broccoli | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 9 | Jun 17 |
| Cucumber | Apr 28 – May 5 | May 26 – Jun 9 | Jul 15 |
| Summer squash and zucchini | Apr 28 – May 5 | May 26 – Jun 9 | Jul 10 |
| Winter squash | Apr 28 – May 5 | May 26 – Jun 9 | Aug 14 |
| Sweet corn | — | May 19 – Jun 9 | Jul 18 |
| Onion (from sets) | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | Jul 17 |
| Garlic | — | Sep 11 – Oct 9 (fall) | following summer |
| Spinach | — | Apr 4 – May 2 | May 12 |
| Basil | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | May 26 – Jun 9 | Jul 22 |
Raton's weather over time
How the growing season has shifted here, year by year, from the station's own records.
See the data as a table
| Year | Last spring frost |
|---|---|
| 1980 | May 3 |
| 1981 | May 27 |
| 1982 | May 15 |
| 1983 | Jun 14 |
| 1984 | May 9 |
| 1985 | May 23 |
| 1986 | May 25 |
| 1987 | Apr 24 |
| 1988 | May 10 |
| 1989 | May 6 |
| 1990 | May 19 |
| 1991 | May 8 |
| 1992 | May 11 |
| 1993 | May 10 |
| 1994 | May 3 |
| 1995 | May 30 |
| 1996 | May 1 |
| 1997 | May 10 |
| 1998 | May 17 |
| 1999 | May 7 |
| 2000 | May 20 |
| 2001 | May 22 |
| 2002 | May 25 |
| 2004 | May 31 |
| 2006 | May 12 |
| 2009 | May 17 |
| 2013 | May 20 |
| 2014 | May 16 |
| 2015 | May 20 |
| 2018 | May 22 |
| 2024 | May 16 |
| 2026 | May 19 |
See the data as a table
| Year | Frost-free days |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 152 |
| 1981 | 142 |
| 1982 | 136 |
| 1983 | 98 |
| 1984 | 142 |
| 1985 | 122 |
| 1986 | 124 |
| 1987 | 164 |
| 1988 | 131 |
| 1989 | 130 |
| 1990 | 142 |
| 1991 | 150 |
| 1992 | 137 |
| 1993 | 126 |
| 1994 | 141 |
| 1995 | 113 |
| 1996 | 140 |
| 1997 | 151 |
| 1998 | 140 |
| 1999 | 144 |
| 2000 | 127 |
| 2001 | 109 |
| 2002 | 131 |
| 2006 | 127 |
| 2013 | 129 |
| 2014 | 139 |
See the data as a table
| Year | Growing-season temperature |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 16.2 °C |
| 1981 | 15.8 °C |
| 1982 | 14.8 °C |
| 1983 | 14.8 °C |
| 1984 | 15.2 °C |
| 1985 | 15.3 °C |
| 1986 | 15.0 °C |
| 1987 | 15.0 °C |
| 1988 | 14.9 °C |
| 1989 | 15.3 °C |
| 1990 | 15.3 °C |
| 1991 | 15.0 °C |
| 1992 | 15.0 °C |
| 2006 | 15.8 °C |
| 2013 | 15.8 °C |
| 2014 | 15.4 °C |
| 2015 | 15.5 °C |
| 2018 | 16.5 °C |
| 2024 | 16.1 °C |
What this means for you: Since 1980, Raton's last spring frost has come about 1 day later per decade, on average. Year-to-year swings are large, so keep using the safe date rather than the trend.
Source: daily records from Raton Krtn Radio (NOAA GHCN-Daily). Years with too many missing days are left out.