Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 81087 — Vilas, CO

ZIP code 81087 (Vilas, Baca County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost October 14.

Where ZIP 81087 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.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F

Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C

Last frostApr 30

First frostOct 14

2012 zone6a

Was 6a 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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Vilas, 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 Vilas, 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 12only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 14median — 10% chance by Oct 1

Growing season166 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 19 and returns around October 22.

From the NOAA station Walsh 1 W, CO — 6 miles away, elevation 3,980 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 81087

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 19 – Sep 2

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 30 – Nov 4

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 30) and first fall frost (Oct 14) 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 81087 came on Feb 20 — 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 12).

average
Mar 122026
Feb 20

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 6b in Colorado

565 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Colorado, and rated by the USDA to survive −5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

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 Vilas, CO.

Soil in Vilas, CO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 81087 is Baca — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.2neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Baca silt loam, 0 to 3 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 81087; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Vilas, CO

Summer high93 °Faverage high, July

Winter low19 °Faverage low, January

Hot days69days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights143nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,740base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 45 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 35 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation19.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall23 inper year; 25 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Walsh 1 W, CO (6 mi away); precipitation: Walsh 1 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.

810906b

Walsh, CO · 10 mi

810846b

Two Buttes, CO · 12 mi

810736b

Springfield, CO · 16 mi

Richfield, KS · 33 mi

810646b

Pritchett, CO · 34 mi

Colorado planting zones →

Questions about 81087

What planting zone is ZIP code 81087?

ZIP code 81087 (Vilas, CO) is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −5 to 0 °F (−20.6 to −17.8 °C).

When is the last frost in Vilas, CO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 81087 is April 30; after May 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Walsh 1 W station.

When is the first frost in Vilas, CO?

The median first fall frost near 81087 is October 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 166 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 81087?

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 81087 get?

About 19.5 inches of precipitation a year and 23 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Walsh 1 W station).

How hot do summers get in Vilas, 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 81087 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Baca at the center of ZIP 81087: silt loam, well drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Vilas, CO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 81087 came on Feb 20 in 2026, 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Vilas, CO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 81087 is 14 h 45 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 81087 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 81087 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.