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

Planting zone for Craig, CO

Craig, CO is in USDA zones 4a to 5a across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is June 6 and the first fall frost September 12.

Craig on the zone map

Outlined: its 1 ZIP code areas · 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.

Zones4a–5a−30 to −15 °F

ZIP codes2

Last frostJun 6

First frostSep 12

Growing season96 days

4a 1 ZIP 5a 1 ZIP

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

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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 Craig, CO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostJune 6median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 24only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 12median — 10% chance by Aug 31

Growing season96 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 20 and returns around September 23.

From the NOAA station Craig Moffat Co. Airport, CO, elevation 6,188 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 Craig

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 16

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 16 – May 30

Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 9 – May 23

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 16 – May 30

LettuceSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 13 – Jun 27

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 20 – Jul 4

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 13 – Jun 27

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 13 – Jun 27

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 13 – Jun 27

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 18 – Aug 1

GarlicPlant cloves · Aug 29 – Oct 3

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 6) and first fall frost (Sep 12) 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 81625 came on Mar 25 — 28 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 22).

average
Apr 222026
Mar 25

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 4a in Colorado

417 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Colorado, and rated by the USDA to survive −30 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 4a. 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 Craig, CO.

Soil in Craig, CO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 81625 is Berlake — coarse sandy loam, well drained.

TextureCoarse sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Berlake-Taffom-Gretdivid complex, 10 to 20 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 81625; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Craig, CO

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low3 °Faverage low, January

Hot days32days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights221nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,784base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 05 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 16 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation14.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Craig Moffat Co. Airport, CO (19 mi away); precipitation: Craig Moffat Co. Airport, CO (19 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Craig

Colorado planting zones →

Questions about Craig

What planting zone is Craig, CO?

Craig, CO is in USDA hardiness zones 4a to 5a on the 2023 map (4a: −30 to −25 °F; 5a: −20 to −15 °F).

When is the last frost in Craig, CO?

The median last spring frost is June 6 and the median first fall frost is September 12 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Craig Moffat Co. Airport station).

When can I plant a garden in Craig, CO?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Apr 25 – May 16; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Jun 13, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Craig, CO?

Long-day onions: the longest day is 15 h 05 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

How much rain and snow does Craig, CO get?

About 14.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).