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

Planting zone for 81131 — Crestone, CO

ZIP code 81131 (Crestone, Saguache County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 26 and the first fall frost September 26.

Where ZIP 81131 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.

Zone5a−20 to −15 °F
Coldest night−28.9 to −26.1 °C
Last frostMay 26
First frostSep 26
2012 zone5b

Was 5b on the 2012 map — half a zone colder now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 5a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Crestone, 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 Crestone, CO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 26median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 9only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 26median — 10% chance by Sep 14
Growing season120 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 13 and returns around October 5.

From the NOAA station Crestone 2 Se, CO — 8 miles away, elevation 8,006 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 81131

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 14 – May 5
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 5 – May 19
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 5 – May 19
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
TomatoesTransplant · Jun 2 – Jun 16
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 9 – Jun 23
BeansSow outdoors · Jun 2 – Jun 16
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 2 – Jun 16
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 2 – Jun 16
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 1 – Aug 15
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 12 – Oct 17
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 26) and first fall frost (Sep 26) 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 81131 came on Mar 23 — 22 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 14).

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 5a in Colorado

532 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Colorado, and rated by the USDA to survive −20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 27

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 95

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 239

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 159

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 3

riverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °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 Crestone, CO.

Soil in Crestone, CO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 81131 is Cotopaxi — sand, excessively drained.

TextureSanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH7.6slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageExcessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Cotopaxi sand, 2 to 15 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 81131; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Crestone, CO

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July
Winter low9 °Faverage low, January
Hot days6days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights201nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,613base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 47 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 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 33 °F, low 9 °F 33°9° JanFebruary: average high 39 °F, low 15 °F 39°15° FebMarch: average high 49 °F, low 22 °F 49°22° MarApril: average high 57 °F, low 28 °F 57°28° AprMay: average high 67 °F, low 36 °F 67°36° MayJune: average high 78 °F, low 45 °F 78°45° JunJuly: average high 82 °F, low 50 °F 82°50° JulAugust: average high 79 °F, low 48 °F 79°48° AugSeptember: average high 72 °F, low 42 °F 72°42° SepOctober: average high 60 °F, low 31 °F 60°31° OctNovember: average high 45 °F, low 19 °F 45°19° NovDecember: average high 33 °F, low 10 °F 33°10° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″January: 0.53 in precipitation 0.5 JanFebruary: 0.54 in precipitation 0.5 FebMarch: 0.93 in precipitation 0.9 MarApril: 1.14 in precipitation 1.1 AprMay: 1.22 in precipitation 1.2 MayJune: 0.92 in precipitation 0.9 JunJuly: 2.14 in precipitation 2.1 JulAugust: 2.01 in precipitation 2.0 AugSeptember: 1.29 in precipitation 1.3 SepOctober: 1.06 in precipitation 1.1 OctNovember: 0.66 in precipitation 0.7 NovDecember: 0.59 in precipitation 0.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Crestone 2 Se, CO (8 mi away); precipitation: Crestone 1.2 Sse, CO (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

811365a
Hooper, CO · 12 mi
811465a
Mosca, CO · 15 mi
811255a
Center, CO · 22 mi
812525b
Westcliffe, CO · 22 mi
811435b
Moffat, CO · 22 mi
810406a
Gardner, CO · 25 mi
812325b
Hillside, CO · 29 mi
811014b
Alamosa, CO · 29 mi

Colorado planting zones →

Questions about 81131

What planting zone is ZIP code 81131?

ZIP code 81131 (Crestone, CO) is in USDA hardiness zone 5a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −20 to −15 °F (−28.9 to −26.1 °C).

When is the last frost in Crestone, CO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 81131 is May 26; after June 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Crestone 2 Se station.

When is the first frost in Crestone, CO?

The median first fall frost near 81131 is September 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 120 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 81131?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 31 – Apr 14 and set transplants outside around Jun 2 – Jun 16, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 81131 get?

About 13 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Crestone 1.2 Sse station).

How hot do summers get in Crestone, CO?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 6 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 81131 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cotopaxi at the center of ZIP 81131: sand, excessively drained, pH about 7.6 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Crestone, CO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 81131 came on Mar 23 in 2026, 22 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 14), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Crestone, CO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 81131 is 14 h 47 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 81131 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 81131 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.