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

Planting zone for 81242 — Poncha Springs, CO

ZIP code 81242 (Poncha Springs, Chaffee County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 29 and the first fall frost September 20.

Where ZIP 81242 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.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F
Coldest night−23.3 to −20.6 °C
Last frostMay 29
First frostSep 20
2012 zone5b

Was 5b 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 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Poncha Springs, 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 Poncha Springs, CO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 29median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 12only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 20median — 10% chance by Sep 8
Growing season112 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 17 and returns around September 29.

From the NOAA station Salida, CO — 5 miles away, elevation 7,159 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 81242

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 8
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 8 – May 22
Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 1 – May 15
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 8 – May 22
LettuceSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22
TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
TomatoesTransplant · Jun 5 – Jun 19
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 12 – Jun 26
BeansSow outdoors · Jun 5 – Jun 19
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 5 – Jun 19
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 5 – Jun 19
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 26 – Aug 9
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 6 – Oct 11
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 29) and first fall frost (Sep 20) 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 81242 came on Apr 8 — 26 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 4).

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 6a in Colorado

563 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Colorado, and rated by the USDA to survive −10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 28

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 104

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 251

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 167

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 4

riverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Ftrumpet creeper2 ft · blooms summer · high shade tolerance · to −13 °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 Poncha Springs, CO.

Soil in Poncha Springs, CO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 81242 is Cathedral family — very gravelly sandy loam, well drained.

TextureVery gravelly sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.4slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Cathedral family-Rock outcrop complex, 40 to 80 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 81242; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Poncha Springs, CO

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July
Winter low12 °Faverage low, January
Hot days15days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights201nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,855base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 51 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 29 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation8.8 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall37 inper year

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 43 °F, low 12 °F 43°12° JanFebruary: average high 46 °F, low 15 °F 46°15° FebMarch: average high 54 °F, low 21 °F 54°21° MarApril: average high 60 °F, low 28 °F 60°28° AprMay: average high 70 °F, low 35 °F 70°35° MayJune: average high 82 °F, low 43 °F 82°43° JunJuly: average high 86 °F, low 49 °F 86°49° JulAugust: average high 83 °F, low 47 °F 83°47° AugSeptember: average high 77 °F, low 39 °F 77°39° SepOctober: average high 65 °F, low 29 °F 65°29° OctNovember: average high 53 °F, low 20 °F 53°20° NovDecember: average high 43 °F, low 13 °F 43°13° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″January: 0.31 in precipitation, 4 in snowfall 0.3❄4 JanFebruary: 0.27 in precipitation, 4.1 in snowfall 0.3❄4 FebMarch: 0.69 in precipitation, 6.5 in snowfall 0.7❄7 MarApril: 1.05 in precipitation, 8 in snowfall 1.1❄8 AprMay: 0.96 in precipitation, 2.7 in snowfall 1.0❄3 MayJune: 0.50 in precipitation 0.5 JunJuly: 1.36 in precipitation 1.4 JulAugust: 1.46 in precipitation 1.5 AugSeptember: 0.67 in precipitation 0.7 SepOctober: 0.87 in precipitation, 2.6 in snowfall 0.9❄3 OctNovember: 0.25 in precipitation, 4.1 in snowfall 0.3❄4 NovDecember: 0.38 in precipitation, 4.7 in snowfall 0.4❄5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Salida, CO (5 mi away); precipitation: Salida, CO (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

812015b
Salida, CO · 6 mi
811555b
Villa Grove, CO · 13 mi
812275b
Monarch, CO · 13 mi
812335b
Howard, CO · 14 mi
812225b
Coaldale, CO · 16 mi
812365b
Nathrop, CO · 17 mi
811435b
Moffat, CO · 25 mi
812415a
Pitkin, CO · 25 mi

Colorado planting zones →

Questions about 81242

What planting zone is ZIP code 81242?

ZIP code 81242 (Poncha Springs, CO) is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −10 to −5 °F (−23.3 to −20.6 °C).

When is the last frost in Poncha Springs, CO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 81242 is May 29; after June 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Salida station.

When is the first frost in Poncha Springs, CO?

The median first fall frost near 81242 is September 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 112 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 81242?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 3 – Apr 17 and set transplants outside around Jun 5 – Jun 19, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 81242 get?

About 8.8 inches of precipitation a year and 37 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Salida station).

How hot do summers get in Poncha Springs, CO?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 15 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 81242 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cathedral family at the center of ZIP 81242: very gravelly sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.4 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Poncha Springs, CO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 81242 came on Apr 8 in 2026, 26 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Poncha Springs, CO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 81242 is 14 h 51 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 81242 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 81242 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.