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

Planting zone for 87321 — Ramah, NM

ZIP code 87321 (Ramah, McKinley County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is June 3 and the first fall frost September 27.

Where ZIP 87321 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.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F

Coldest night−23.3 to −20.6 °C

Last frostJun 3

First frostSep 27

2012 zone5b

Was 5b 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 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Ramah, 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 Ramah, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostJune 3median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 15only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 27median — 10% chance by Sep 14

Growing season114 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 20 and returns around October 4.

From the NOAA station El Morro Natl Mon, NM — 4 miles away, elevation 7,225 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 87321

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 13

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 13 – May 27

Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 6 – May 20

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 13 – May 27

LettuceSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 10 – Jun 24

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 17 – Jul 1

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 10 – Jun 24

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 10 – Jun 24

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 10 – Jun 24

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 2 – Aug 16

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 13 – Oct 18

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 3) and first fall frost (Sep 27) 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 87321 came on Mar 16 — 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 1).

average
Apr 12026
Mar 16

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 6a in New Mexico

511 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in New Mexico, and rated by the USDA to survive −10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6a. 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 Ramah, NM.

Soil in Ramah, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 87321 is Celacy — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH7.6slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Celacy-Atarque complex, 1 to 10 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 87321; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ramah, NM

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July

Winter low14 °Faverage low, January

Hot days10days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights201nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,987base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 31 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

Precipitation13.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall38 inper year; 34 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: El Morro Natl Mon, NM (4 mi away); precipitation: El Morro Natl Mon, NM (4 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.

873575b

Pinehill, NM · 16 mi

873476a

Jamestown, NM · 22 mi

873126a

Continental Divide, NM · 25 mi

870056a

Bluewater, NM · 27 mi

Fort Wingate, NM · 30 mi

870456a

Prewitt, NM · 32 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 87321

What planting zone is ZIP code 87321?

ZIP code 87321 (Ramah, NM) is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −10 to −5 °F (−23.3 to −20.6 °C).

When is the last frost in Ramah, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 87321 is June 3; after June 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, El Morro Natl Mon station.

When is the first frost in Ramah, NM?

The median first fall frost near 87321 is September 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 114 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 87321?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 8 – Apr 22 and set transplants outside around Jun 10 – Jun 24, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 87321 get?

About 13.9 inches of precipitation a year and 38 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, El Morro Natl Mon station).

How hot do summers get in Ramah, NM?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 10 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 87321 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Celacy at the center of ZIP 87321: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 7.6 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Ramah, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 87321 came on Mar 16 in 2026, 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Ramah, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 87321 is 14 h 31 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 87321 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 87321 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.