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

Planting zone for 80921 — Colorado Springs, CO

ZIP code 80921 (Colorado Springs, El Paso County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost October 6.

Where ZIP 80921 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 11
First frostOct 6
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 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 11median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 25only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 6median — 10% chance by Sep 25
Growing season147 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 2 and returns around October 16.

From the NOAA station Black Forest 6wnw, CO — 2 miles away, elevation 6,959 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 80921

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 20
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 20 – May 4
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30
TomatoesTransplant · May 18 – Jun 1
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 25 – Jun 8
BeansSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 11 – Aug 25
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 22 – Oct 27
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 11) and first fall frost (Oct 6) 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 80921 came on Mar 1 — 33 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 3).

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.

Trees 27

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 98

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 246

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 163

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 3

riverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °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 80921 is Peyton — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Peyton-Pring complex, 3 to 8 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 80921; 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 high85 °Faverage high, July
Winter low19 °Faverage low, January
Hot days24days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights162nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,427base 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
Precipitation18.7 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 45 °F, low 19 °F 45°19° FebMarch: average high 54 °F, low 26 °F 54°26° MarApril: average high 60 °F, low 31 °F 60°31° AprMay: average high 69 °F, low 40 °F 69°40° MayJune: average high 80 °F, low 50 °F 80°50° JunJuly: average high 85 °F, low 55 °F 85°55° JulAugust: average high 83 °F, low 54 °F 83°54° AugSeptember: average high 76 °F, low 47 °F 76°47° SepOctober: average high 65 °F, low 35 °F 65°35° 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: 0.53 in precipitation 0.5 JanFebruary: 0.64 in precipitation 0.6 FebMarch: 1.35 in precipitation 1.4 MarApril: 1.98 in precipitation 2.0 AprMay: 2.56 in precipitation 2.6 MayJune: 1.96 in precipitation 2.0 JunJuly: 2.81 in precipitation 2.8 JulAugust: 3.04 in precipitation 3.0 AugSeptember: 1.58 in precipitation 1.6 SepOctober: 0.92 in precipitation 0.9 OctNovember: 0.79 in precipitation 0.8 NovDecember: 0.56 in precipitation 0.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Black Forest 6wnw, CO (2 mi away); precipitation: Gleneagle 0.4 Wnw, CO (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5b.

801325b
Monument, CO · 3 mi
808405b
Usaf Academy, CO · 5 mi
801335b
Palmer Lake, CO · 6 mi
809085b
Colorado Springs, CO · 7 mi
809205b
Colorado Springs, CO · 8 mi
809245b
Colorado Springs, CO · 8 mi
801185b
Larkspur, CO · 10 mi
809195b
Colorado Springs, CO · 10 mi

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

Questions about 80921

What planting zone is ZIP code 80921?

ZIP code 80921 (Colorado Springs, 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 Colorado Springs, CO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 80921 is May 11; after May 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Black Forest 6wnw station.

When is the first frost in Colorado Springs, CO?

The median first fall frost near 80921 is October 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 147 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 80921?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 16 – Mar 30 and set transplants outside around May 18 – Jun 1, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 80921 get?

About 18.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Gleneagle 0.4 Wnw station).

How hot do summers get in Colorado Springs, CO?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 24 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 80921 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Peyton at the center of ZIP 80921: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

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

Spring leaf-out near 80921 came on Mar 1 in 2026, 33 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Colorado Springs, CO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 80921 is 14 h 55 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.