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

Planting zone for Loveland, CO

Loveland, CO is in USDA zone 5b across its 3 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost October 1.

Loveland 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.

Zone5b−15 to −10 °F
ZIP codes3
Last frostMay 12
First frostOct 1
Growing season141 days

5b 3 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Loveland, 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 Loveland, CO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 12median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 30only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 1median — 10% chance by Sep 18
Growing season141 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 2 and returns around October 11.

From the NOAA station Waterdale, CO, elevation 5,230 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 Loveland

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 21
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
TomatoesTransplant · May 19 – Jun 2
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 26 – Jun 9
BeansSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 6 – Aug 20
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 17 – Oct 22
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 12) and first fall frost (Oct 1) 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 80537 came on Feb 26 — 28 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 26).

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 5b in Colorado

546 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Colorado, and rated by the USDA to survive −15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 27

American elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °Fbalsam poplar80 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −79 °Fblack locust60 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −37 °Fblack walnut100 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Fblack willow100 ft · blooms early spring · high shade tolerance · to −58 °Fblue spruce100 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Shrubs 98

alderleaf mountain mahogany15 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −41 °Falpine laurel1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican plum24 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Fantelope bitterbrush6 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −36 °FApache plume6 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −23 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 246

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine aster0.3 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °Falpine bistort1 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine mountainsorrel1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °FAmerican alpine speedwell1 ft · blooms summer · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican bistort1.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 163

Alaska oniongrass3 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Falkali cordgrass3 ft · blooms late summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falkali sacaton3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAlpine Meadow-Foxtail0.5 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Falpine timothy1.4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °Fanalogue sedge1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 3

riverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FVirginia creeper1 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °Fwestern white clematis1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °F

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 Loveland, CO.

Soil in Loveland, CO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 80537 is Table Mountain — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Table Mountain loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, foothills.

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 80537; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Loveland, CO

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July
Winter low15 °Faverage low, January
Hot days31days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights169nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,354base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 04 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 17 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation17.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 44 °F, low 15 °F 44°15° JanFebruary: average high 45 °F, low 17 °F 45°17° FebMarch: average high 54 °F, low 25 °F 54°25° MarApril: average high 60 °F, low 31 °F 60°31° AprMay: average high 68 °F, low 41 °F 68°41° MayJune: average high 80 °F, low 49 °F 80°49° JunJuly: average high 87 °F, low 55 °F 87°55° JulAugust: average high 84 °F, low 53 °F 84°53° AugSeptember: average high 76 °F, low 45 °F 76°45° SepOctober: average high 63 °F, low 34 °F 63°34° OctNovember: average high 51 °F, low 24 °F 51°24° NovDecember: average high 43 °F, low 16 °F 43°16° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″January: 0.48 in precipitation 0.5 JanFebruary: 0.56 in precipitation 0.6 FebMarch: 1.28 in precipitation 1.3 MarApril: 2.15 in precipitation 2.1 AprMay: 2.91 in precipitation 2.9 MayJune: 1.94 in precipitation 1.9 JunJuly: 1.97 in precipitation 2.0 JulAugust: 1.61 in precipitation 1.6 AugSeptember: 1.75 in precipitation 1.8 SepOctober: 1.25 in precipitation 1.3 OctNovember: 0.81 in precipitation 0.8 NovDecember: 0.49 in precipitation 0.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Waterdale, CO (3 mi away); precipitation: Flatiron Reservoir, CO (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Loveland

805375b
−15 to −10 °F
805385b
−15 to −10 °F
805395b
−15 to −10 °F

Colorado planting zones →

Questions about Loveland

What planting zone is Loveland, CO?

Loveland, CO is in USDA hardiness zone 5b on the 2023 map (5b: −15 to −10 °F).

When is the last frost in Loveland, CO?

The median last spring frost is May 12 and the median first fall frost is October 1 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Waterdale station).

When can I plant a garden in Loveland, CO?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Mar 31 – Apr 21; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about May 19, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Loveland, CO?

Long-day onions: the longest day is 15 h 04 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

How much rain and snow does Loveland, CO get?

About 17.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).