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

Planting zone for 88415 — Clayton, NM

ZIP code 88415 (Clayton, Union County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost October 11.

Where ZIP 88415 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 4
First frostOct 11
2012 zone6b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. 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 Clayton, 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 Clayton, NM

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 4median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 19only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 11median — 10% chance by Sep 30
Growing season159 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 24 and returns around October 20.

From the NOAA station Clayton 1 N, NM — 11 miles away, elevation 5,000 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 88415

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 13
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
TomatoesTransplant · May 11 – May 25
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 18 – Jun 1
BeansSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 16 – Aug 30
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 27 – Nov 1
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 4) and first fall frost (Oct 11) 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 88415 came on Feb 19 — 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 11).

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).

Soil in Clayton, NM

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 88415 is Rickmore — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH7.1neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.9%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Rickmore sandy loam, 0 to 3 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 88415; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Clayton, NM

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July
Winter low18 °Faverage low, January
Hot days55days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights141nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,256base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 38 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 41 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation16.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 50 °F, low 18 °F 50°18° JanFebruary: average high 53 °F, low 20 °F 53°20° FebMarch: average high 61 °F, low 27 °F 61°27° MarApril: average high 69 °F, low 35 °F 69°35° AprMay: average high 78 °F, low 44 °F 78°44° MayJune: average high 87 °F, low 53 °F 87°53° JunJuly: average high 90 °F, low 58 °F 90°58° JulAugust: average high 88 °F, low 57 °F 88°57° AugSeptember: average high 81 °F, low 50 °F 81°50° SepOctober: average high 71 °F, low 38 °F 71°38° OctNovember: average high 58 °F, low 26 °F 58°26° NovDecember: average high 49 °F, low 19 °F 49°19° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″January: 0.38 in precipitation 0.4 JanFebruary: 0.30 in precipitation 0.3 FebMarch: 0.83 in precipitation 0.8 MarApril: 1.19 in precipitation 1.2 AprMay: 1.81 in precipitation 1.8 MayJune: 2.42 in precipitation 2.4 JunJuly: 2.80 in precipitation 2.8 JulAugust: 3.27 in precipitation 3.3 AugSeptember: 1.69 in precipitation 1.7 SepOctober: 1.16 in precipitation 1.2 OctNovember: 0.49 in precipitation 0.5 NovDecember: 0.45 in precipitation 0.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Clayton 1 N, NM (11 mi away); precipitation: Clayton 14.6 Ssw, NM (7 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.

884366b
Sedan, NM · 17 mi
884246b
Grenville, NM · 19 mi
790876b
Texline, TX · 24 mi
884186b
Des Moines, NM · 32 mi
884106b
Amistad, NM · 32 mi
739376b
Felt, OK · 35 mi
884226a
Gladstone, NM · 36 mi
884196b
Folsom, NM · 39 mi

New Mexico planting zones →

Questions about 88415

What planting zone is ZIP code 88415?

ZIP code 88415 (Clayton, 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 Clayton, NM?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 88415 is May 4; after May 19 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Clayton 1 N station.

When is the first frost in Clayton, NM?

The median first fall frost near 88415 is October 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 159 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 88415?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 9 – Mar 23 and set transplants outside around May 11 – May 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 88415 get?

About 16.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Clayton 14.6 Ssw station).

How hot do summers get in Clayton, NM?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 55 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 88415 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Rickmore at the center of ZIP 88415: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 7.1 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Clayton, NM in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 88415 came on Feb 19 in 2026, 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 11), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Clayton, NM?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 88415 is 14 h 38 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.