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

Planting zone for 81030 — Cheraw, CO

ZIP code 81030 (Cheraw, Otero County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost October 10.

Where ZIP 81030 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 30
First frostOct 10
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 Cheraw, 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 Cheraw, CO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 30median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 13only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 10median — 10% chance by Oct 1
Growing season163 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 21 and returns around October 18.

From the NOAA station Cheraw 1 N, CO — within 1 mile, elevation 4,147 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 81030

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 9
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
TomatoesTransplant · May 7 – May 21
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 14 – May 28
BeansSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 15 – Aug 29
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 26 – Oct 31
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 30) and first fall frost (Oct 10) 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 81030 came on Feb 23 — 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 15).

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 Cheraw, CO.

Soil in Cheraw, CO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 81030 is Oterodry — sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH7.8slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Oterodry sandy loam, dry, 1 to 4 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 81030; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Cheraw, CO

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July
Winter low13 °Faverage low, January
Hot days66days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights167nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,412base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 49 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 31 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation13.3 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 47 °F, low 13 °F 47°13° JanFebruary: average high 51 °F, low 17 °F 51°17° FebMarch: average high 61 °F, low 26 °F 61°26° MarApril: average high 68 °F, low 34 °F 68°34° AprMay: average high 77 °F, low 45 °F 77°45° MayJune: average high 87 °F, low 56 °F 87°56° JunJuly: average high 92 °F, low 61 °F 92°61° JulAugust: average high 89 °F, low 59 °F 89°59° AugSeptember: average high 83 °F, low 50 °F 83°50° SepOctober: average high 70 °F, low 35 °F 70°35° OctNovember: average high 57 °F, low 23 °F 57°23° NovDecember: average high 47 °F, low 14 °F 47°14° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″January: 0.35 in precipitation 0.3 JanFebruary: 0.53 in precipitation 0.5 FebMarch: 0.74 in precipitation 0.7 MarApril: 1.34 in precipitation 1.3 AprMay: 1.68 in precipitation 1.7 MayJune: 1.54 in precipitation 1.5 JunJuly: 2.41 in precipitation 2.4 JulAugust: 1.90 in precipitation 1.9 AugSeptember: 0.88 in precipitation 0.9 SepOctober: 1.00 in precipitation 1.0 OctNovember: 0.49 in precipitation 0.5 NovDecember: 0.43 in precipitation 0.4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Cheraw 1 N, CO (within 1 mile); precipitation: Cheraw .15 Nne, CO (within 1 mile). 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.

810776a
Swink, CO · 8 mi
810676a
Rocky Ford, CO · 13 mi
810765b
Sugar City, CO · 17 mi
810506a
La Junta, CO · 17 mi
810345b
Crowley, CO · 20 mi
810586a
Manzanola, CO · 20 mi
810215b
Arlington, CO · 23 mi
810635b
Ordway, CO · 27 mi

Colorado planting zones →

Questions about 81030

What planting zone is ZIP code 81030?

ZIP code 81030 (Cheraw, 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 Cheraw, CO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 81030 is April 30; after May 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cheraw 1 N station.

When is the first frost in Cheraw, CO?

The median first fall frost near 81030 is October 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 163 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 81030?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 5 – Mar 19 and set transplants outside around May 7 – May 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 81030 get?

About 13.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cheraw .15 Nne station).

How hot do summers get in Cheraw, CO?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 66 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 81030 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Oterodry at the center of ZIP 81030: sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 7.8 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Cheraw, CO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 81030 came on Feb 23 in 2026, 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 15), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Cheraw, CO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 81030 is 14 h 49 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 81030 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 81030 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.