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

Planting zone for 81040 — Gardner, CO

ZIP code 81040 (Gardner, Huerfano County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 27 and the first fall frost September 25.

Where ZIP 81040 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 27
First frostSep 25
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 Gardner, 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 Gardner, CO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 27median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 10only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 25median — 10% chance by Sep 11
Growing season119 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 13 and returns around October 4.

From the NOAA station Sheep Mtn, CO — 5 miles away, elevation 7,743 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 81040

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 15 – May 6
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 6 – May 20
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 6 – May 20
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20
TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
TomatoesTransplant · Jun 3 – Jun 17
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 10 – Jun 24
BeansSow outdoors · Jun 3 – Jun 17
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 3 – Jun 17
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 3 – Jun 17
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 31 – Aug 14
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 11 – Oct 16
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 27) and first fall frost (Sep 25) 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 81040 came on Mar 6 — 29 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 4).

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 Gardner, CO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 81040 is Neville — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH7.9alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Neville fine sandy loam, 3 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 81040; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Gardner, CO

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July
Winter low17 °Faverage low, January
Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights171nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,736base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 47 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 33 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation13.6 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall51 inper year

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 41 °F, low 17 °F 41°17° JanFebruary: average high 42 °F, low 18 °F 42°18° FebMarch: average high 50 °F, low 23 °F 50°23° MarApril: average high 57 °F, low 28 °F 57°28° AprMay: average high 66 °F, low 36 °F 66°36° MayJune: average high 77 °F, low 45 °F 77°45° JunJuly: average high 82 °F, low 51 °F 82°51° JulAugust: average high 79 °F, low 50 °F 79°50° AugSeptember: average high 73 °F, low 43 °F 73°43° SepOctober: average high 62 °F, low 33 °F 62°33° OctNovember: average high 49 °F, low 24 °F 49°24° NovDecember: average high 41 °F, low 17 °F 41°17° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″January: 0.50 in precipitation, 7.7 in snowfall 0.5❄8 JanFebruary: 0.72 in precipitation, 7.2 in snowfall 0.7❄7 FebMarch: 0.82 in precipitation, 7.8 in snowfall 0.8❄8 MarApril: 1.39 in precipitation, 8.3 in snowfall 1.4❄8 AprMay: 1.32 in precipitation, 0.7 in snowfall 1.3❄1 MayJune: 0.80 in precipitation 0.8 JunJuly: 2.29 in precipitation 2.3 JulAugust: 2.34 in precipitation 2.3 AugSeptember: 1.00 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 1.0 SepOctober: 1.00 in precipitation, 1.8 in snowfall 1.0❄2 OctNovember: 0.86 in precipitation, 10.3 in snowfall 0.9❄10 NovDecember: 0.60 in precipitation, 7.3 in snowfall 0.6❄7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Sheep Mtn, CO (5 mi away); precipitation: Sheep Mtn, CO (5 mi away). 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.

810696a
Rye, CO · 20 mi
811335b
Fort Garland, CO · 24 mi
810196a
Colorado City, CO · 24 mi
812525b
Westcliffe, CO · 25 mi
811315a
Crestone, CO · 25 mi
810236a
Beulah, CO · 26 mi
811465a
Mosca, CO · 26 mi
812536a
Wetmore, CO · 28 mi

Colorado planting zones →

Questions about 81040

What planting zone is ZIP code 81040?

ZIP code 81040 (Gardner, 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 Gardner, CO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 81040 is May 27; after June 10 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sheep Mtn station.

When is the first frost in Gardner, CO?

The median first fall frost near 81040 is September 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 119 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 81040?

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

How much rain and snow does 81040 get?

About 13.6 inches of precipitation a year and 51 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sheep Mtn station).

How hot do summers get in Gardner, CO?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 2 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 81040 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Neville at the center of ZIP 81040: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 7.9 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Gardner, CO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 81040 came on Mar 6 in 2026, 29 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Gardner, CO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 81040 is 14 h 47 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 81040 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 81040 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.