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

Planting zone for 80809 — Cascade, CO

ZIP code 80809 (Cascade, El Paso County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is June 3 and the first fall frost September 17.

Where ZIP 80809 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 frostJun 3

First frostSep 17

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 Cascade, 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 Cascade, CO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostJune 3median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 23only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 17median — 10% chance by Aug 30

Growing season102 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 22 and returns around September 28.

From the NOAA station Ruxton Park, CO — 2 miles away, elevation 9,062 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 80809

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 13

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 13 – May 27

Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 6 – May 20

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 13 – May 27

LettuceSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 10 – Jun 24

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 17 – Jul 1

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 10 – Jun 24

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 10 – Jun 24

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 10 – Jun 24

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 23 – Aug 6

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 3 – Oct 8

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 3) and first fall frost (Sep 17) 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 80809 came on Apr 25 — 23 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 18).

average
May 182026
Apr 25

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 Cascade, CO.

Soil in Cascade, CO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 80809 is Ivywild — slightly decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH5.6moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter85%high

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Ivywild-Catamount gravelly sandy loams, 5 to 70 percent slopes, very bouldery.

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 80809; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Cascade, CO

Summer high74 °Faverage high, July

Winter low13 °Faverage low, January

Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights240nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days986base 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

Precipitation23.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall134 inper year; 129 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: Ruxton Park, CO (2 mi away); precipitation: Ruxton Park, CO (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

808295b

Manitou Springs, CO · 4 mi

808195b

Green Mountain Falls, CO · 7 mi

809046a

Colorado Springs, CO · 7 mi

809195b

Colorado Springs, CO · 9 mi

808135b

Cripple Creek, CO · 9 mi

809056a

Colorado Springs, CO · 9 mi

809066a

Colorado Springs, CO · 10 mi

808665a

Woodland Park, CO · 10 mi

Colorado planting zones →

Questions about 80809

What planting zone is ZIP code 80809?

ZIP code 80809 (Cascade, 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 Cascade, CO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 80809 is June 3; after June 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ruxton Park station.

When is the first frost in Cascade, CO?

The median first fall frost near 80809 is September 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 102 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 80809?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 8 – Apr 22 and set transplants outside around Jun 10 – Jun 24, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 80809 get?

About 23.9 inches of precipitation a year and 134 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ruxton Park station).

How hot do summers get in Cascade, CO?

The average high peaks at 74 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 80809 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ivywild at the center of ZIP 80809: slightly decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 5.6 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Cascade, CO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 80809 came on Apr 25 in 2026, 23 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Cascade, CO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 80809 is 14 h 54 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.