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

Planting zone for 80830 — Matheson, CO

ZIP code 80830 (Matheson, Elbert County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost October 2.

Where ZIP 80830 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 12
First frostOct 2
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 Matheson, 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 Matheson, CO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 12median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 26only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 2median — 10% chance by Sep 19
Growing season141 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 2 and returns around October 11.

From the NOAA station Matheson 8 Se, CO — 4 miles away, elevation 5,830 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 80830

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 21
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
TomatoesTransplant · May 19 – Jun 2
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 26 – Jun 9
BeansSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 7 – Aug 21
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 18 – Oct 23
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 12) and first fall frost (Oct 2) 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 80830 came on Mar 5 — 27 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 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).

Soil in Matheson, CO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 80830 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 80830; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Matheson, CO

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July
Winter low15 °Faverage low, January
Hot days22days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights177nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,436base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 55 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 25 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation15 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 43 °F, low 15 °F 43°15° JanFebruary: average high 45 °F, low 16 °F 45°16° FebMarch: average high 54 °F, low 24 °F 54°24° MarApril: average high 61 °F, low 30 °F 61°30° AprMay: average high 70 °F, low 40 °F 70°40° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 50 °F 81°50° JunJuly: average high 86 °F, low 56 °F 86°56° JulAugust: average high 84 °F, low 54 °F 84°54° AugSeptember: average high 77 °F, low 45 °F 77°45° SepOctober: average high 64 °F, low 34 °F 64°34° OctNovember: average high 50 °F, low 24 °F 50°24° NovDecember: average high 42 °F, low 15 °F 42°15° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″January: 0.27 in precipitation 0.3 JanFebruary: 0.36 in precipitation 0.4 FebMarch: 0.80 in precipitation 0.8 MarApril: 1.37 in precipitation 1.4 AprMay: 2.21 in precipitation 2.2 MayJune: 2.20 in precipitation 2.2 JunJuly: 2.53 in precipitation 2.5 JulAugust: 2.72 in precipitation 2.7 AugSeptember: 0.96 in precipitation 1.0 SepOctober: 0.84 in precipitation 0.8 OctNovember: 0.40 in precipitation 0.4 NovDecember: 0.31 in precipitation 0.3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Matheson 8 Se, CO (4 mi away); precipitation: Limon Wsmo, CO (12 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5b.

808415b
Usaf Academy, CO · 5 mi
808355b
Simla, CO · 9 mi
808265b
Limon, CO · 14 mi
808285b
Limon, CO · 15 mi
808325b
Ramah, CO · 17 mi
801015b
Agate, CO · 20 mi
808085b
Calhan, CO · 22 mi
808335b
Rush, CO · 24 mi

Colorado planting zones →

Questions about 80830

What planting zone is ZIP code 80830?

ZIP code 80830 (Matheson, 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 Matheson, CO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 80830 is May 12; after May 26 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Matheson 8 Se station.

When is the first frost in Matheson, CO?

The median first fall frost near 80830 is October 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 141 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 80830?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 17 – Mar 31 and set transplants outside around May 19 – Jun 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 80830 get?

About 15 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Limon Wsmo station).

How hot do summers get in Matheson, CO?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 22 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 80830 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Weld at the center of ZIP 80830: loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Matheson, CO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 80830 came on Mar 5 in 2026, 27 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Matheson, CO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 80830 is 14 h 55 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.