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

Planting zone for Cheyenne, WY

Cheyenne, WY is in USDA zone 5b across its 7 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost October 1.

Cheyenne on the zone map

Outlined: its 3 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 codes7
Last frostMay 14
First frostOct 1
Growing season139 days

5b 7 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Cheyenne, WY…

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 Cheyenne, WY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 14median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 28only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 1median — 10% chance by Sep 17
Growing season139 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 3 and returns around October 10.

From the NOAA station Cheyenne WFO, WY, elevation 6,119 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 Cheyenne

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 23
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 23 – May 7
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
TomatoesTransplant · May 21 – Jun 4
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 28 – Jun 11
BeansSow outdoors · May 21 – Jun 4
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 21 – Jun 4
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 21 – Jun 4
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 14) 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 82002 came on Mar 5 — 34 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 8).

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 Wyoming

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

Trees 22

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 °Fblue spruce100 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Fboxelder60 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FDouglas-fir200 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 99

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Falderleaf 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 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 254

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine bistort1 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine mountainsorrel1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °Falpine sweetvetch2 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −62 °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 162

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

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °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 Cheyenne, WY.

Soil in Cheyenne, WY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 82002 is Altvan — loam, well drained. Much of the area is built over (urban land); this is the natural soil underneath.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH7.6slightly alkaline; 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: Urban land-Altvan complex, 0 to 6 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 82002; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Cheyenne, WY

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July
Winter low18 °Faverage low, January
Hot days12days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights169nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,065base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 09 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 12 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation18.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 41 °F, low 18 °F 41°18° JanFebruary: average high 41 °F, low 18 °F 41°18° FebMarch: average high 49 °F, low 25 °F 49°25° MarApril: average high 55 °F, low 30 °F 55°30° AprMay: average high 64 °F, low 40 °F 64°40° MayJune: average high 76 °F, low 49 °F 76°49° JunJuly: average high 83 °F, low 56 °F 83°56° JulAugust: average high 81 °F, low 54 °F 81°54° AugSeptember: average high 73 °F, low 45 °F 73°45° SepOctober: average high 59 °F, low 33 °F 59°33° OctNovember: average high 48 °F, low 24 °F 48°24° NovDecember: average high 40 °F, low 18 °F 40°18° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″January: 0.63 in precipitation 0.6 JanFebruary: 0.63 in precipitation 0.6 FebMarch: 1.23 in precipitation 1.2 MarApril: 2.13 in precipitation 2.1 AprMay: 2.79 in precipitation 2.8 MayJune: 2.20 in precipitation 2.2 JunJuly: 2.24 in precipitation 2.2 JulAugust: 2.02 in precipitation 2.0 AugSeptember: 1.66 in precipitation 1.7 SepOctober: 1.33 in precipitation 1.3 OctNovember: 0.72 in precipitation 0.7 NovDecember: 0.58 in precipitation 0.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Cheyenne WFO, WY (within 1 mile); precipitation: Cheyenne 1.4 W, WY (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Cheyenne

820015b
−15 to −10 °F
820025b
−15 to −10 °F
820035b
−15 to −10 °F
820065b
−15 to −10 °F
820075b
−15 to −10 °F
820095b
−15 to −10 °F
820105b
−15 to −10 °F

Wyoming planting zones →

Questions about Cheyenne

What planting zone is Cheyenne, WY?

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

When is the last frost in Cheyenne, WY?

The median last spring frost is May 14 and the median first fall frost is October 1 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cheyenne WFO station).

When can I plant a garden in Cheyenne, WY?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Apr 2 – Apr 23; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about May 21, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Cheyenne, WY?

Long-day onions: the longest day is 15 h 09 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

How much rain and snow does Cheyenne, WY get?

About 18.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).