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

Planting zone for 81241 — Pitkin, CO

ZIP code 81241 (Pitkin, Gunnison County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is June 20 and the first fall frost September 8.

Where ZIP 81241 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 20

First frostSep 8

2012 zone3b

Was 3b on the 2012 map — 1.5 zones warmer 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 Pitkin, 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 Pitkin, CO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostJune 20median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJuly 2only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 8median — 10% chance by Aug 25

Growing season80 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around June 2 and returns around September 22.

From the NOAA station Taylor Park, CO — 14 miles away, elevation 9,180 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 81241

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23

SpinachSow outdoors · May 9 – May 30

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 30 – Jun 13

Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 30 – Jun 13

LettuceSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 30 – Jun 13

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 25 – May 9

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 27 – Jul 11

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jul 4 – Jul 18

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 27 – Jul 11

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 27 – Jul 11

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 27 – Jul 11

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 14 – Jul 28

GarlicPlant cloves · Aug 25 – Sep 29

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 20) and first fall frost (Sep 8) 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 81241 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 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 Pitkin, CO.

Soil in Pitkin, CO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 81241 is Limber — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

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

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter75%high

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Limber gravelly loam, 25 to 70 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 81241; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Pitkin, CO

Summer high72 °Faverage high, July

Winter low−8 °Faverage low, January

Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights254nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days551base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 52 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 28 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation24.7 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: Taylor Park, CO (14 mi away); precipitation: Saint Elmo, CO (8 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.

Buena Vista, CO · 24 mi

Colorado planting zones →

Questions about 81241

What planting zone is ZIP code 81241?

ZIP code 81241 (Pitkin, 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 Pitkin, CO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 81241 is June 20; after July 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Taylor Park station.

When is the first frost in Pitkin, CO?

The median first fall frost near 81241 is September 8, giving a median frost-free growing season of 80 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 81241?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 25 – May 9 and set transplants outside around Jun 27 – Jul 11, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 81241 get?

About 24.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Saint Elmo station).

How hot do summers get in Pitkin, CO?

The average high peaks at 72 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 81241 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Limber at the center of ZIP 81241: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Pitkin, CO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 81241 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 Pitkin, CO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 81241 is 14 h 52 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 81241 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 81241 in zone 3b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.