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

Planting zone for 81301 — Durango, CO

ZIP code 81301 (Durango, La Plata County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 28 and the first fall frost September 30.

Where ZIP 81301 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 28

First frostSep 30

2012 zone6a

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 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Durango, 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 Durango, CO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 28median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostSeptember 30median — 10% chance by Sep 15

Growing season122 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 12 and returns around October 10.

From the NOAA station Lemon Dam, CO — 14 miles away, elevation 8,111 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 81301

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 16 – May 7

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 7 – May 21

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 7 – May 21

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 4 – Jun 18

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 11 – Jun 25

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 4 – Jun 18

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 4 – Jun 18

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 4 – Jun 18

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 5 – Aug 19

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 16 – Oct 21

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 28) and first fall frost (Sep 30) 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 81301 came on Mar 26 — 34 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 29).

average
Apr 292026
Mar 26

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.

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 Durango, CO.

Soil in Durango, CO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 81301 is Northwater — very stony sandy loam, well drained.

TextureVery stony sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter4.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Northwater very stony sandy loam, 6 to 25 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 81301; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Durango, CO

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July

Winter low9 °Faverage low, January

Hot days1days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights213nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,346base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 45 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 34 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation34.9 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: Lemon Dam, CO (14 mi away); precipitation: Rockwood 6.9 Nnw, CO (5 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.

Silverton, CO · 19 mi

Telluride, CO · 24 mi

813036b

Durango, CO · 28 mi

All 3 ZIP codes in Durango → · Colorado planting zones →

Questions about 81301

What planting zone is ZIP code 81301?

ZIP code 81301 (Durango, 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 Durango, CO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 81301 is May 28; after June 10 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lemon Dam station.

When is the first frost in Durango, CO?

The median first fall frost near 81301 is September 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 122 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 81301?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 2 – Apr 16 and set transplants outside around Jun 4 – Jun 18, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 81301 get?

About 34.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Rockwood 6.9 Nnw station).

How hot do summers get in Durango, CO?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 1 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 81301 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Northwater at the center of ZIP 81301: very stony sandy loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Durango, CO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 81301 came on Mar 26 in 2026, 34 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 29), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Durango, CO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 81301 is 14 h 45 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.