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

Planting zone for Pagosa Springs, CO

Pagosa Springs, CO is in USDA zone 5b across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is June 9 and the first fall frost September 22.

Pagosa Springs 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.

Zone5b−15 to −10 °F
ZIP codes2
Last frostJun 9
First frostSep 22
Growing season103 days

5b 2 ZIPs

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 Pagosa Springs, CO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostJune 9median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 27only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 22median — 10% chance by Sep 10
Growing season103 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 23 and returns around September 30.

From the NOAA station Dulce, NM, elevation 6,795 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 Pagosa Springs

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 19
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 19 – Jun 2
Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 12 – May 26
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2
LettuceSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2
TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
TomatoesTransplant · Jun 16 – Jun 30
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 23 – Jul 7
BeansSow outdoors · Jun 16 – Jun 30
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 16 – Jun 30
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 16 – Jun 30
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 28 – Aug 11
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 8 – Oct 13
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 9) and first fall frost (Sep 22) 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 81147 came on Mar 23 — 25 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 17).

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 Pagosa Springs, CO.

Soil in Pagosa Springs, CO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 81147 is Greenough — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH5.6moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter85%high
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Greenough loam, 4 to 25 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 81147; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Pagosa Springs, CO

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July
Winter low10 °Faverage low, January
Hot days23days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights217nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,010base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 44 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 35 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation22.8 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 10 °F 44°10° JanFebruary: average high 48 °F, low 16 °F 48°16° FebMarch: average high 57 °F, low 22 °F 57°22° MarApril: average high 64 °F, low 28 °F 64°28° AprMay: average high 74 °F, low 34 °F 74°34° MayJune: average high 84 °F, low 41 °F 84°41° JunJuly: average high 88 °F, low 50 °F 88°50° JulAugust: average high 85 °F, low 49 °F 85°49° AugSeptember: average high 79 °F, low 41 °F 79°41° SepOctober: average high 68 °F, low 29 °F 68°29° OctNovember: average high 54 °F, low 20 °F 54°20° NovDecember: average high 44 °F, low 12 °F 44°12° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″January: 1.99 in precipitation 2.0 JanFebruary: 1.73 in precipitation 1.7 FebMarch: 1.59 in precipitation 1.6 MarApril: 1.76 in precipitation 1.8 AprMay: 1.77 in precipitation 1.8 MayJune: 0.74 in precipitation 0.7 JunJuly: 2.06 in precipitation 2.1 JulAugust: 2.76 in precipitation 2.8 AugSeptember: 2.46 in precipitation 2.5 SepOctober: 2.13 in precipitation 2.1 OctNovember: 1.84 in precipitation 1.8 NovDecember: 1.94 in precipitation 1.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Dulce, NM (25 mi away); precipitation: Pagosa Springs 1se, CO (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Pagosa Springs

811475b
−15 to −10 °F
811575b
−15 to −10 °F

Colorado planting zones →

Questions about Pagosa Springs

What planting zone is Pagosa Springs, CO?

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

When is the last frost in Pagosa Springs, CO?

The median last spring frost is June 9 and the median first fall frost is September 22 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dulce station).

When can I plant a garden in Pagosa Springs, CO?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Apr 28 – May 19; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Jun 16, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Pagosa Springs, CO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day is 14 h 44 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

How much rain and snow does Pagosa Springs, CO get?

About 22.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).