Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 30, 2026

Planting zone for Crested Butte, CO

Crested Butte, CO is in USDA zone 5a across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is June 20 and the first fall frost September 8.

Crested Butte on the zone map

Outlined: its 2 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.

Zone5a−20 to −15 °F

ZIP codes2

Last frostJun 20

First frostSep 8

Growing season80 days

5a 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Crested Butte, CO…

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 Crested Butte, CO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostJune 20median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJuly 2only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 8median — 10% chance by Aug 25

Growing season80 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around June 2 and returns around September 22.

From the NOAA station Taylor Park, CO, elevation 9,180 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 Crested Butte

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23

SpinachSow outdoors · May 9 – May 30

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 30 – Jun 13

Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 30 – Jun 13

LettuceSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 30 – Jun 13

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 25 – May 9

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 27 – Jul 11

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jul 4 – Jul 18

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 27 – Jul 11

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 27 – Jul 11

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 27 – Jul 11

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 14 – Jul 28

GarlicPlant cloves · Aug 25 – Sep 29

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 20) and first fall frost (Sep 8) 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 81225 came on May 12 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 18).

average
May 182026
May 12

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 5a in Colorado

532 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Colorado, and rated by the USDA to survive −20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5a. 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 Crested Butte, CO.

Soil in Crested Butte, CO

The center of ZIP 81225 is mapped as Rock outcrop: built-over ground without natural soil data. Garden soil here is usually imported or disturbed — test before you plant.

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 81225; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Crested Butte, CO

Summer high76 °Faverage high, July

Winter low−6 °Faverage low, January

Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights269nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days589base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 54 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 26 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation36.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall389 inper year; 208 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: Crested Butte, CO (6 mi away); precipitation: Crested Butte 6.2 N, CO (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Crested Butte

Colorado planting zones →

Questions about Crested Butte

What planting zone is Crested Butte, CO?

Crested Butte, CO is in USDA hardiness zone 5a on the 2023 map (5a: −20 to −15 °F).

When is the last frost in Crested Butte, CO?

The median last spring frost is June 20 and the median first fall frost is September 8 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Taylor Park station).

When can I plant a garden in Crested Butte, CO?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around May 9 – May 30; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Jun 27, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Crested Butte, CO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day is 14 h 54 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

How much rain and snow does Crested Butte, CO get?

About 36.6 inches of precipitation a year and 389 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).