Frost dates for 87740Raton, NM
The average last spring frost in Raton is May 19 and the average first fall frost is September 29, giving a typical growing season of about 132 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 19
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 29
- Growing season
- 132 days
Safer after Jun 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 204 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | May 18 · May 31 · Jun 13 | Sep 10 · Sep 21 · Oct 1 | 113 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 6 · May 19 · Jun 2 | Sep 18 · Sep 29 · Oct 8 | 132 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 24 · May 7 · May 20 | Sep 24 · Oct 6 · Oct 18 | 152 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Raton
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Apr 18 – Jun 24 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 9 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 5 – Jun 3 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 18 – Jun 19 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 19 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 9 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 4 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 3 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 18 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 3 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jun 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jun 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 20 – Jun 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jul 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 5 – May 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 19 – Jul 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 20 – Jul 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 19 – Oct 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 87740 is matched to the NOAA station Raton Krtn Radio, NM, 1.2 km away, at 6,640 ft elevation (26 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raton Krtn Radio, NM (used) | 6,640 ft | May 19 | Sep 29 |
| Raton Fltr Plt, NM | 6,932 ft | May 5 | Oct 9 |
| Lake Maloya, NM | 7,400 ft | May 21 | Sep 29 |
| Raton Muni Crews Ap, NM | 6,349 ft | May 11 | Oct 4 |
Frost dates near Raton
- Trinchera, CO 81081 · last May 4, first Oct 9
- Maxwell, NM 87728 · last May 17, first Oct 1
- Capulin, NM 88414 · last May 17, first Oct 1
- Trinidad, CO 81082 · last Apr 30, first Oct 15
- Boncarbo, CO 81024 · last May 5, first Oct 9
- Hoehne, CO 81046 · last May 4, first Oct 9
- Weston, CO 81091 · last May 21, first Sep 29
- Branson, CO 81027 · last Apr 30, first Oct 15
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Raton, NM?
- For ZIP code 87740, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Raton Krtn Radio, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 2.
- When is the first frost in Raton, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 29. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 18, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 87740?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 132 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.