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

Planting zone for 81005 — Pueblo, CO

ZIP code 81005 (Pueblo, Pueblo County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost October 13.

Where ZIP 81005 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 frostApr 26
First frostOct 13
2012 zone5b

Was 5b 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 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Pueblo, 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 Pueblo, CO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 26median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 8only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 13median — 10% chance by Sep 30
Growing season166 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 16 and returns around October 22.

From the NOAA station Pueblo Rsvr, CO — 7 miles away, elevation 4,862 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 81005

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Apr 5
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 5 – Apr 19
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15
TomatoesTransplant · May 3 – May 17
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 10 – May 24
BeansSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 18 – Sep 1
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 29 – Nov 3
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 26) and first fall frost (Oct 13) 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 81005 came on Feb 20 — 22 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 14).

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 Pueblo, CO.

Soil in Pueblo, CO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 81005 is Penrose — channery loam, well drained.

TextureChannery loama good balance for most vegetables
pH8.2alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Penrose-Minnequa complex, 1 to 15 percent slopes, dry.

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 81005; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Pueblo, CO

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July
Winter low18 °Faverage low, January
Hot days71days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights154nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,507base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 50 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 30 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation15.8 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 47 °F, low 18 °F 47°18° JanFebruary: average high 49 °F, low 20 °F 49°20° FebMarch: average high 59 °F, low 28 °F 59°28° MarApril: average high 66 °F, low 36 °F 66°36° AprMay: average high 76 °F, low 46 °F 76°46° MayJune: average high 87 °F, low 56 °F 87°56° JunJuly: average high 92 °F, low 62 °F 92°62° JulAugust: average high 90 °F, low 60 °F 90°60° AugSeptember: average high 82 °F, low 51 °F 82°51° SepOctober: average high 69 °F, low 38 °F 69°38° OctNovember: average high 56 °F, low 27 °F 56°27° NovDecember: average high 47 °F, low 19 °F 47°19° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″January: 0.74 in precipitation 0.7 JanFebruary: 0.56 in precipitation 0.6 FebMarch: 1.01 in precipitation 1.0 MarApril: 2.31 in precipitation 2.3 AprMay: 2.00 in precipitation 2.0 MayJune: 1.12 in precipitation 1.1 JunJuly: 2.51 in precipitation 2.5 JulAugust: 2.23 in precipitation 2.2 AugSeptember: 1.06 in precipitation 1.1 SepOctober: 1.10 in precipitation 1.1 OctNovember: 0.70 in precipitation 0.7 NovDecember: 0.50 in precipitation 0.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Pueblo Rsvr, CO (7 mi away); precipitation: Pueblo 17 W, CO (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

810036a
Pueblo, CO · 11 mi
810236a
Beulah, CO · 11 mi
810076a
Pueblo, CO · 12 mi
810026a
Pueblo, CO · 12 mi
812536a
Wetmore, CO · 13 mi
810046a
Pueblo, CO · 13 mi
810095b
Pueblo, CO · 16 mi
810106a
Pueblo, CO · 16 mi

All 12 ZIP codes in Pueblo → · Colorado planting zones →

Questions about 81005

What planting zone is ZIP code 81005?

ZIP code 81005 (Pueblo, 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 Pueblo, CO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 81005 is April 26; after May 8 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pueblo Rsvr station.

When is the first frost in Pueblo, CO?

The median first fall frost near 81005 is October 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 166 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 81005?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 1 – Mar 15 and set transplants outside around May 3 – May 17, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 81005 get?

About 15.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pueblo 17 W station).

How hot do summers get in Pueblo, CO?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 71 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 81005 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Penrose at the center of ZIP 81005: channery loam, well drained, pH about 8.2 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Pueblo, CO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 81005 came on Feb 20 in 2026, 22 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 14), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Pueblo, CO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 81005 is 14 h 50 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 81005 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 81005 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.