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When to Plant Soybeans in Catron County, NM

Soybeans (edamame) are a high-protein legume that fixes nitrogen in the soil. Fresh green soybeans harvested at the edamame stage are a nutritious snack.

Catron County, New Mexico is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is June 3 and the first fall frost is September 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 111 days.

At an elevation of 8,232 feet, Catron County receives approximately 10.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Soybeans to ensure they mature before fall. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Soybeans will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Soybeans successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Catron County, NM (Zone 6a) Short season
111 days
Last Spring Frost June 3
111 growing days
First Fall Frost September 22

Catron County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Soybeans Planting Timeline — Catron County, NM

Soybeans Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow June 10 Jun 10 – Jul 1
Harvest September 2 Sep 2 – Oct 28

Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May
June Direct Sow
July Direct Sow
August
September Harvest
October Harvest
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

80–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

111 days in Catron County

Growing Tips for Catron County

Direct sow after soil warms to 60F. Plant in blocks rather than rows for better pollination. Harvest for edamame when pods are plump and bright green.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Onion
  • Garlic

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Soybeans in Catron County, NM?

Catron County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of June 3. Plan your Soybeans planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Catron County, NM?

Catron County, New Mexico is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is June 3 and first fall frost is September 22.

🌱

Your Catron County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Catron County (Zone 6a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Catron County, NM. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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