Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 30, 2026

Planting zone for 81303 — Durango, CO

ZIP code 81303 (Durango, La Plata County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is June 1 and the first fall frost September 27.

Where ZIP 81303 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.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F

Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C

Last frostJun 1

First frostSep 27

2012 zone6a

Was 6a 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 6b 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 frostJune 1median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 15only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 27median — 10% chance by Sep 15

Growing season116 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 18 and returns around October 6.

From the NOAA station Durango La Plata Co. Airport, CO — 6 miles away, elevation 6,660 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 81303

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 11

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 11 – May 25

Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 4 – May 18

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 11 – May 25

LettuceSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 8 – Jun 22

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 15 – Jun 29

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 8 – Jun 22

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 8 – Jun 22

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 8 – Jun 22

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 2 – Aug 16

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 13 – Oct 18

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 1) and first fall frost (Sep 27) 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 81303 came on Mar 12 — 21 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 2).

average
Apr 22026
Mar 12

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 6b in Colorado

565 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Colorado, and rated by the USDA to survive −5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6b. 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 81303 is Falfa — clay loam, well drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH7.2neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Falfa clay loam, 3 to 8 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 81303; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Durango, CO

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July

Winter low10 °Faverage low, January

Hot days22days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights202nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,011base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 43 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 36 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation13.5 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: Durango La Plata Co. Airport, CO (6 mi away); precipitation: Durango La Plata Co. Airport, CO (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Navajo Dam, NM · 18 mi

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

Questions about 81303

What planting zone is ZIP code 81303?

ZIP code 81303 (Durango, CO) is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −5 to 0 °F (−20.6 to −17.8 °C).

When is the last frost in Durango, CO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 81303 is June 1; after June 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Durango La Plata Co. Airport station.

When is the first frost in Durango, CO?

The median first fall frost near 81303 is September 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 116 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 81303?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 6 – Apr 20 and set transplants outside around Jun 8 – Jun 22, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 81303 get?

About 13.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Durango La Plata Co. Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Durango, CO?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 22 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 81303 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Falfa at the center of ZIP 81303: clay loam, well drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Durango, CO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 81303 came on Mar 12 in 2026, 21 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 2), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Durango, CO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 81303 is 14 h 43 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 81303 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 81303 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.