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

Planting zone for 80106 — Elbert, CO

ZIP code 80106 (Elbert, Elbert County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 29 and the first fall frost September 21.

Where ZIP 80106 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 29

First frostSep 21

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 Elbert, 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 Elbert, CO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 29median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 13only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 21median — 10% chance by Sep 9

Growing season114 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 14 and returns around September 29.

From the NOAA station Eastonville 2 Nnw, CO — 7 miles away, elevation 7,212 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 80106

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 8

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 8 – May 22

Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 1 – May 15

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 8 – May 22

LettuceSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 5 – Jun 19

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 12 – Jun 26

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 5 – Jun 19

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 5 – Jun 19

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 5 – Jun 19

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 27 – Aug 10

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 7 – Oct 12

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 29) and first fall frost (Sep 21) 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 80106 came on Mar 9 — 30 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 8).

average
Apr 82026
Mar 9

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 Elbert, CO.

Soil in Elbert, CO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 80106 is Brussett — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Brussett loam, 0 to 4 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 80106; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Elbert, CO

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July

Winter low9 °Faverage low, January

Hot days5days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights212nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,526base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 56 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 24 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation21.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall102 inper year; 86 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: Eastonville 2 Nnw, CO (7 mi away); precipitation: Eastonville 2 Nnw, CO (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5b.

809085b

Colorado Springs, CO · 13 mi

801165b

Franktown, CO · 14 mi

808315b

Peyton, CO · 14 mi

801075b

Elizabeth, CO · 16 mi

Castle Rock, CO · 18 mi

809215b

Colorado Springs, CO · 18 mi

Colorado planting zones →

Questions about 80106

What planting zone is ZIP code 80106?

ZIP code 80106 (Elbert, 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 Elbert, CO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 80106 is May 29; after June 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Eastonville 2 Nnw station.

When is the first frost in Elbert, CO?

The median first fall frost near 80106 is September 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 114 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 80106?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 3 – Apr 17 and set transplants outside around Jun 5 – Jun 19, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 80106 get?

About 21.6 inches of precipitation a year and 102 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Eastonville 2 Nnw station).

How hot do summers get in Elbert, CO?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 5 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 80106 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Brussett at the center of ZIP 80106: loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Elbert, CO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 80106 came on Mar 9 in 2026, 30 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 8), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Elbert, CO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 80106 is 14 h 56 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.