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

Planting zone for 80101 — Agate, CO

ZIP code 80101 (Agate, Elbert County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 21 and the first fall frost September 26.

Where ZIP 80101 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · 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

Coldest night−26.1 to −23.3 °C

Last frostMay 21

First frostSep 26

2012 zone5b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Agate, 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 Agate, CO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 21median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 4only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 26median — 10% chance by Sep 14

Growing season127 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 9 and returns around October 3.

From the NOAA station Limon Wsmo, CO — 19 miles away, elevation 5,364 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 80101

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 30

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

TomatoesTransplant · May 28 – Jun 11

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 4 – Jun 18

BeansSow outdoors · May 28 – Jun 11

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 28 – Jun 11

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 28 – Jun 11

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 1 – Aug 15

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 12 – Oct 17

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 21) and first fall frost (Sep 26) 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 80101 came on Mar 1 — 29 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 30).

average
Mar 302026
Mar 1

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.

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 Agate, CO.

Soil in Agate, CO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 80101 is Weld — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Weld loam, 1 to 3 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 80101; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Agate, CO

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July

Winter low10 °Faverage low, January

Hot days32days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights196nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,233base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 57 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 23 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation17.8 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: Limon Wsmo, CO (19 mi away); precipitation: Deer Trail 6.1 Sw, CO (14 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5b.

808355b

Simla, CO · 14 mi

801055b

Deer Trail, CO · 16 mi

Usaf Academy, CO · 23 mi

Colorado planting zones →

Questions about 80101

What planting zone is ZIP code 80101?

ZIP code 80101 (Agate, CO) is in USDA hardiness zone 5b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −15 to −10 °F (−26.1 to −23.3 °C).

When is the last frost in Agate, CO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 80101 is May 21; after June 4 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Limon Wsmo station.

When is the first frost in Agate, CO?

The median first fall frost near 80101 is September 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 127 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 80101?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 26 – Apr 9 and set transplants outside around May 28 – Jun 11, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 80101 get?

About 17.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Deer Trail 6.1 Sw station).

How hot do summers get in Agate, CO?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 32 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 80101 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Weld at the center of ZIP 80101: loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Agate, CO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 80101 came on Mar 1 in 2026, 29 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 30), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Agate, CO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 80101 is 14 h 57 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.