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

Planting zone for 80449 — Hartsel, CO

ZIP code 80449 (Hartsel, Park County) is in USDA zone 4a: the coldest winter night averages −30 to −25 °F. The median last spring frost is June 2 and the first fall frost September 19.

Where ZIP 80449 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.

Zone4a−30 to −25 °F

Coldest night−34.4 to −31.7 °C

Last frostJun 2

First frostSep 19

2012 zone3b

Was 3b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 4a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Hartsel, 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 Hartsel, CO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostJune 2median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 17only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 19median — 10% chance by Sep 6

Growing season108 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 19 and returns around September 29.

From the NOAA station Lake George 8 Sw, CO — 17 miles away, elevation 8,550 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 80449

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 12

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 12 – May 26

Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 5 – May 19

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 12 – May 26

LettuceSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 9 – Jun 23

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 16 – Jun 30

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 9 – Jun 23

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 9 – Jun 23

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 9 – Jun 23

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 25 – Aug 8

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 5 – Oct 10

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 2) and first fall frost (Sep 19) 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 80449 came on Apr 8 — 30 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 8).

average
May 82026
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 4a in Colorado

417 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Colorado, and rated by the USDA to survive −30 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 4a. 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 Hartsel, CO.

Soil in Hartsel, CO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 80449 is Betemer — very gravelly loam, well drained.

TextureVery gravelly loama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Betemer very gravelly loam, 3 to 40 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 80449; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Hartsel, CO

Summer high76 °Faverage high, July

Winter low−4 °Faverage low, January

Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights263nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days606base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 54 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 26 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation10.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall49 inper year; 83 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: Antero Rsvr, CO (7 mi away); precipitation: Antero Rsvr, CO (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

8 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

808205b

Guffey, CO · 16 mi

808275b

Lake George, CO · 19 mi

Florissant, CO · 26 mi

804565a

Jefferson, CO · 27 mi

Colorado planting zones →

Questions about 80449

What planting zone is ZIP code 80449?

ZIP code 80449 (Hartsel, CO) is in USDA hardiness zone 4a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −30 to −25 °F (−34.4 to −31.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Hartsel, CO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 80449 is June 2; after June 17 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lake George 8 Sw station.

When is the first frost in Hartsel, CO?

The median first fall frost near 80449 is September 19, giving a median frost-free growing season of 108 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 80449?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 7 – Apr 21 and set transplants outside around Jun 9 – Jun 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 80449 get?

About 10.6 inches of precipitation a year and 49 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Antero Rsvr station).

How hot do summers get in Hartsel, CO?

The average high peaks at 76 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 80449 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Betemer at the center of ZIP 80449: very gravelly loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Hartsel, CO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 80449 came on Apr 8 in 2026, 30 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 8), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Hartsel, CO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 80449 is 14 h 54 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 80449 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 80449 in zone 3b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.