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

Planting zone for 81235 — Lake City, CO

ZIP code 81235 (Lake City, Hinsdale County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is June 8 and the first fall frost September 17.

Where ZIP 81235 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 frostJun 8

First frostSep 17

2012 zone5a

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 5a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Lake City, 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 Lake City, CO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostJune 8median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 24only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 17median — 10% chance by Sep 6

Growing season101 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 25 and returns around September 25.

From the NOAA station Lake City, CO — 6 miles away, elevation 8,668 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 81235

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 18

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 18 – Jun 1

Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 11 – May 25

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1

LettuceSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 15 – Jun 29

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 22 – Jul 6

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 15 – Jun 29

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 15 – Jun 29

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 15 – Jun 29

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 23 – Aug 6

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 3 – Oct 8

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 8) and first fall frost (Sep 17) 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 81235 came on May 29 — 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jun 8).

average
Jun 82026
May 29

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.

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 Lake City, CO.

Soil in Lake City, CO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 81235 is Henson — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Henson loam, 10 to 30 percent slopes, extremely stony.

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 81235; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lake City, CO

Summer high77 °Faverage high, July

Winter low1 °Faverage low, January

Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights224nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,080base 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

Precipitation26.7 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: Lake City, CO (6 mi away); precipitation: Wager Gulch, CO (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

814275b

Ouray, CO · 12 mi

814335a

Silverton, CO · 19 mi

Powderhorn, CO · 24 mi

811305a

Creede, CO · 25 mi

814355b

Telluride, CO · 29 mi

Colorado planting zones →

Questions about 81235

What planting zone is ZIP code 81235?

ZIP code 81235 (Lake City, 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 Lake City, CO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 81235 is June 8; after June 24 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lake City station.

When is the first frost in Lake City, CO?

The median first fall frost near 81235 is September 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 101 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 81235?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 13 – Apr 27 and set transplants outside around Jun 15 – Jun 29, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 81235 get?

About 26.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Wager Gulch station).

How hot do summers get in Lake City, CO?

The average high peaks at 77 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 81235 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Henson at the center of ZIP 81235: loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Lake City, CO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 81235 came on May 29 in 2026, 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jun 8), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lake City, CO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 81235 is 14 h 48 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.