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

Planting zone for 81155 — Villa Grove, CO

ZIP code 81155 (Villa Grove, Saguache County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 16 and the first fall frost September 28.

Where ZIP 81155 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.

Zone5b−15 to −10 °F

Coldest night−26.1 to −23.3 °C

Last frostMay 16

First frostSep 28

2012 zone5b

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 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Villa Grove, 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 Villa Grove, CO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostMay 16median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 31only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 28median — 10% chance by Sep 18

Growing season135 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 4 and returns around October 8.

From the NOAA station Saguache, CO — 14 miles away, elevation 7,701 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 81155

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 25

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

TomatoesTransplant · May 23 – Jun 6

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 30 – Jun 13

BeansSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 3 – Aug 17

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 14 – Oct 19

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 16) and first fall frost (Sep 28) 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 81155 came on May 7 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 18).

average
May 182026
May 7

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 5b in Colorado

546 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Colorado, and rated by the USDA to survive −15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5b. 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 Villa Grove, CO.

Soil in Villa Grove, CO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 81155 is Tellura — cobbly silt loam, well drained.

TextureCobbly silt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Tellura, moist-Seitz association, 15 to 60 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 81155; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Villa Grove, CO

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July

Winter low7 °Faverage low, January

Hot days5days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights205nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,578base 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

Precipitation25.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Saguache, CO (14 mi away); precipitation: Hayden Pass, CO (12 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.

812426a

Poncha Springs, CO · 13 mi

Colorado planting zones →

Questions about 81155

What planting zone is ZIP code 81155?

ZIP code 81155 (Villa Grove, CO) is in USDA hardiness zone 5b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −15 to −10 °F (−26.1 to −23.3 °C).

When is the last frost in Villa Grove, CO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 81155 is May 16; after May 31 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Saguache station.

When is the first frost in Villa Grove, CO?

The median first fall frost near 81155 is September 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 135 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 81155?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 21 – Apr 4 and set transplants outside around May 23 – Jun 6, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 81155 get?

About 25.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hayden Pass station).

How hot do summers get in Villa Grove, CO?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in July, with about 5 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 81155 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Tellura at the center of ZIP 81155: cobbly silt loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Villa Grove, CO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 81155 came on May 7 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Villa Grove, CO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 81155 is 14 h 50 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.