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

Planting zone for 80909 — Colorado Springs, CO

ZIP code 80909 (Colorado Springs, El Paso County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost October 8.

Where ZIP 80909 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.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F
Coldest night−23.3 to −20.6 °C
Last frostMay 3
First frostOct 8
2012 zone6a

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 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Colorado Springs, 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 Colorado Springs, CO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 3median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 15only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 8median — 10% chance by Sep 26
Growing season158 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 24 and returns around October 16.

From the NOAA station Colorado Springs Municipal Airport, CO — 6 miles away, elevation 6,181 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 80909

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 12
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
TomatoesTransplant · May 10 – May 24
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 17 – May 31
BeansSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 13 – Aug 27
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 24 – Oct 29
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 3) and first fall frost (Oct 8) 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 80909 came on Feb 26 — 26 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 24).

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 6a in Colorado

563 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Colorado, and rated by the USDA to survive −10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 28

American elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °Fbalsam poplar80 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −79 °Fblack locust60 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −37 °Fblack walnut100 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Fblack willow100 ft · blooms early spring · high shade tolerance · to −58 °Fblue spruce100 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Shrubs 104

alderleaf mountain mahogany15 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −41 °Falpine laurel1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican plum24 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Fantelope bitterbrush6 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −36 °FApache plume6 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −23 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 251

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine aster0.3 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °Falpine bistort1 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine mountainsorrel1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °FAmerican alpine speedwell1 ft · blooms summer · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican bistort1.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 167

Alaska oniongrass3 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Falkali cordgrass3 ft · blooms late summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falkali sacaton3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAlpine Meadow-Foxtail0.5 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Falpine timothy1.4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °Fanalogue sedge1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 4

riverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Ftrumpet creeper2 ft · blooms summer · high shade tolerance · to −13 °FVirginia creeper1 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °Fwestern white clematis1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °F

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 Colorado Springs, CO.

Soil in Colorado Springs, CO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 80909 is Blakeland — loamy sand, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureLoamy sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Blakeland loamy sand, 1 to 9 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 80909; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Colorado Springs, CO

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July
Winter low19 °Faverage low, January
Hot days23days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights160nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,730base 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
Precipitation19 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 45 °F, low 19 °F 45°19° JanFebruary: average high 47 °F, low 20 °F 47°20° FebMarch: average high 55 °F, low 27 °F 55°27° MarApril: average high 61 °F, low 34 °F 61°34° AprMay: average high 71 °F, low 44 °F 71°44° MayJune: average high 82 °F, low 53 °F 82°53° JunJuly: average high 87 °F, low 58 °F 87°58° JulAugust: average high 84 °F, low 57 °F 84°57° AugSeptember: average high 77 °F, low 49 °F 77°49° SepOctober: average high 65 °F, low 37 °F 65°37° OctNovember: average high 53 °F, low 26 °F 53°26° NovDecember: average high 45 °F, low 19 °F 45°19° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″January: 0.41 in precipitation 0.4 JanFebruary: 0.57 in precipitation 0.6 FebMarch: 1.01 in precipitation 1.0 MarApril: 1.89 in precipitation 1.9 AprMay: 2.38 in precipitation 2.4 MayJune: 2.73 in precipitation 2.7 JunJuly: 3.21 in precipitation 3.2 JulAugust: 3.13 in precipitation 3.1 AugSeptember: 1.69 in precipitation 1.7 SepOctober: 0.91 in precipitation 0.9 OctNovember: 0.62 in precipitation 0.6 NovDecember: 0.47 in precipitation 0.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Colorado Springs Municipal Airport, CO (6 mi away); precipitation: Colorado Springs 3.7 Ene, CO (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

809036a
Colorado Springs, CO · 3 mi
809106a
Colorado Springs, CO · 3 mi
809016a
Colorado Springs, CO · 3 mi
809316a
Colorado Springs, CO · 3 mi
809326a
Colorado Springs, CO · 3 mi
809336a
Colorado Springs, CO · 3 mi
809346a
Colorado Springs, CO · 3 mi
809356a
Colorado Springs, CO · 3 mi

All 51 ZIP codes in Colorado Springs → · Colorado planting zones →

Questions about 80909

What planting zone is ZIP code 80909?

ZIP code 80909 (Colorado Springs, CO) is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −10 to −5 °F (−23.3 to −20.6 °C).

When is the last frost in Colorado Springs, CO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 80909 is May 3; after May 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Colorado Springs Municipal Airport station.

When is the first frost in Colorado Springs, CO?

The median first fall frost near 80909 is October 8, giving a median frost-free growing season of 158 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 80909?

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

How much rain and snow does 80909 get?

About 19 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Colorado Springs 3.7 Ene station).

How hot do summers get in Colorado Springs, CO?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 23 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 80909 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Blakeland at the center of ZIP 80909: loamy sand, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Colorado Springs, CO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 80909 came on Feb 26 in 2026, 26 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Colorado Springs, CO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 80909 is 14 h 54 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.