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

Planting zone for 81062 — Olney Springs, CO

ZIP code 81062 (Olney Springs, Crowley County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost October 6.

Where ZIP 81062 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 5
First frostOct 6
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 Olney 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 Olney Springs, CO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 5median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 16only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 6median — 10% chance by Sep 26
Growing season153 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 26 and returns around October 14.

From the NOAA station Tacony 13 Se, CO — 6 miles away, elevation 4,882 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 81062

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 14
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
TomatoesTransplant · May 12 – May 26
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 19 – Jun 2
BeansSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26
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 5) 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 81062 came on Feb 24 — 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 16).

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 Olney Springs, CO.

Soil in Olney Springs, CO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 81062 is Vonid — sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Vonid sandy 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 81062; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Olney Springs, CO

Summer high93 °Faverage high, July
Winter low15 °Faverage low, January
Hot days69days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights160nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,281base 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
Precipitation12.1 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall21 inper year; 14 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 47 °F, low 15 °F 47°15° JanFebruary: average high 50 °F, low 18 °F 50°18° FebMarch: average high 61 °F, low 26 °F 61°26° MarApril: average high 68 °F, low 33 °F 68°33° AprMay: average high 78 °F, low 43 °F 78°43° MayJune: average high 89 °F, low 53 °F 89°53° JunJuly: average high 93 °F, low 58 °F 93°58° JulAugust: average high 90 °F, low 57 °F 90°57° AugSeptember: average high 83 °F, low 48 °F 83°48° SepOctober: average high 70 °F, low 35 °F 70°35° OctNovember: average high 56 °F, low 24 °F 56°24° NovDecember: average high 47 °F, low 16 °F 47°16° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″January: 0.21 in precipitation, 3.7 in snowfall 0.2❄4 JanFebruary: 0.23 in precipitation, 3.4 in snowfall 0.2❄3 FebMarch: 0.52 in precipitation, 3.8 in snowfall 0.5❄4 MarApril: 1.11 in precipitation, 2.4 in snowfall 1.1❄2 AprMay: 1.47 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 1.5 MayJune: 1.54 in precipitation 1.5 JunJuly: 2.27 in precipitation 2.3 JulAugust: 2.46 in precipitation 2.5 AugSeptember: 0.94 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 0.9 SepOctober: 0.79 in precipitation, 1.1 in snowfall 0.8❄1 OctNovember: 0.33 in precipitation, 3.2 in snowfall 0.3❄3 NovDecember: 0.18 in precipitation, 3.4 in snowfall 0.2❄3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Tacony 13 Se, CO (6 mi away); precipitation: Tacony 13 Se, CO (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

810345b
Crowley, CO · 9 mi
810586a
Manzanola, CO · 14 mi
810635b
Ordway, CO · 14 mi
810765b
Sugar City, CO · 20 mi
810676a
Rocky Ford, CO · 23 mi
810256a
Boone, CO · 24 mi
810396a
Fowler, CO · 26 mi
810776a
Swink, CO · 27 mi

Colorado planting zones →

Questions about 81062

What planting zone is ZIP code 81062?

ZIP code 81062 (Olney Springs, 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 Olney Springs, CO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 81062 is May 5; after May 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tacony 13 Se station.

When is the first frost in Olney Springs, CO?

The median first fall frost near 81062 is October 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 153 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 81062?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 10 – Mar 24 and set transplants outside around May 12 – May 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 81062 get?

About 12.1 inches of precipitation a year and 21 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tacony 13 Se station).

How hot do summers get in Olney Springs, CO?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in July, with about 69 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 81062 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Vonid at the center of ZIP 81062: sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

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

Spring leaf-out near 81062 came on Feb 24 in 2026, 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Olney Springs, CO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 81062 is 14 h 50 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 81062 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 81062 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.