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

Planting zone for 81054 — Las Animas, CO

ZIP code 81054 (Las Animas, Bent County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost October 12.

Where ZIP 81054 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 29
First frostOct 12
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 Las Animas, 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 Las Animas, CO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 29median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 11only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 12median — 10% chance by Oct 2
Growing season166 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station Las Animas, CO — 11 miles away, elevation 3,891 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 81054

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 8
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
TomatoesTransplant · May 6 – May 20
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 13 – May 27
BeansSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 17 – Aug 31
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 28 – Nov 2
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 29) and first fall frost (Oct 12) 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 81054 came on Feb 21 — 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 13).

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 Las Animas, CO.

Soil in Las Animas, CO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 81054 is Deertrail — clay loam, well drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH7.8slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Deertrail clay loam, 0 to 5 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 81054; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Las Animas, CO

Summer high95 °Faverage high, July
Winter low16 °Faverage low, January
Hot days83days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights151nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,861base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 48 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 32 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
Snowfall16 inper year; 16 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°110°32 °FJanuary: average high 48 °F, low 16 °F 48°16° JanFebruary: average high 52 °F, low 19 °F 52°19° FebMarch: average high 62 °F, low 28 °F 62°28° MarApril: average high 70 °F, low 37 °F 70°37° AprMay: average high 79 °F, low 48 °F 79°48° MayJune: average high 90 °F, low 58 °F 90°58° JunJuly: average high 95 °F, low 63 °F 95°63° JulAugust: average high 92 °F, low 61 °F 92°61° AugSeptember: average high 85 °F, low 52 °F 85°52° SepOctober: average high 71 °F, low 37 °F 71°37° OctNovember: average high 58 °F, low 25 °F 58°25° NovDecember: average high 48 °F, low 16 °F 48°16° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″January: 0.38 in precipitation, 3.9 in snowfall 0.4❄4 JanFebruary: 0.32 in precipitation, 2.3 in snowfall 0.3❄2 FebMarch: 0.78 in precipitation, 3.3 in snowfall 0.8❄3 MarApril: 1.36 in precipitation, 0.4 in snowfall 1.4 AprMay: 1.69 in precipitation 1.7 MayJune: 1.81 in precipitation 1.8 JunJuly: 2.63 in precipitation 2.6 JulAugust: 1.82 in precipitation 1.8 AugSeptember: 0.93 in precipitation 0.9 SepOctober: 1.10 in precipitation, 1.5 in snowfall 1.1❄2 OctNovember: 0.40 in precipitation, 1.9 in snowfall 0.4❄2 NovDecember: 0.36 in precipitation, 2.9 in snowfall 0.4❄3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Las Animas, CO (11 mi away); precipitation: Las Animas, CO (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

810386a
Fort Lyon, CO · 7 mi
810446a
Hasty, CO · 14 mi
810506a
La Junta, CO · 16 mi
810576a
Mc Clave, CO · 21 mi
810306a
Cheraw, CO · 22 mi
810776a
Swink, CO · 24 mi
810926a
Wiley, CO · 26 mi
810676a
Rocky Ford, CO · 30 mi

Colorado planting zones →

Questions about 81054

What planting zone is ZIP code 81054?

ZIP code 81054 (Las Animas, 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 Las Animas, CO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 81054 is April 29; after May 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Las Animas station.

When is the first frost in Las Animas, CO?

The median first fall frost near 81054 is October 12, giving a median frost-free growing season of 166 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 81054?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 4 – Mar 18 and set transplants outside around May 6 – May 20, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 81054 get?

About 13.6 inches of precipitation a year and 16 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Las Animas station).

How hot do summers get in Las Animas, CO?

The average high peaks at 95 °F in July, with about 83 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 81054 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Deertrail at the center of ZIP 81054: clay loam, well drained, pH about 7.8 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Las Animas, CO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 81054 came on Feb 21 in 2026, 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 13), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Las Animas, CO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 81054 is 14 h 48 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.