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

Planting zone for 81324 — Dove Creek, CO

ZIP code 81324 (Dove Creek, Dolores County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 16 and the first fall frost October 11.

Where ZIP 81324 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 frostMay 16
First frostOct 11
2012 zone5b

Was 5b on the 2012 map — a full 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 Dove Creek, 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 Dove Creek, CO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 16median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 2only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 11median — 10% chance by Sep 29
Growing season145 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 1 and returns around October 21.

From the NOAA station Cedar Pt, UT — 6 miles away, elevation 6,759 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 81324

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 25
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
TomatoesTransplant · May 23 – Jun 6
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 30 – Jun 13
BeansSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 16 – Aug 30
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 27 – Nov 1
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 16) and first fall frost (Oct 11) 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 81324 came on Mar 17 — 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 2).

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.

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 252

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 168

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 Dove Creek, CO.

Soil in Dove Creek, CO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 81324 is Wetherill — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH7.4slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Wetherill loam, 3 to 6 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 81324; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Dove Creek, CO

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July
Winter low17 °Faverage low, January
Hot days24days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights173nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,338base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 46 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 33 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation15.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 38 °F, low 17 °F 38°17° JanFebruary: average high 42 °F, low 20 °F 42°20° FebMarch: average high 50 °F, low 26 °F 50°26° MarApril: average high 59 °F, low 32 °F 59°32° AprMay: average high 69 °F, low 40 °F 69°40° MayJune: average high 82 °F, low 48 °F 82°48° JunJuly: average high 88 °F, low 55 °F 88°55° JulAugust: average high 84 °F, low 54 °F 84°54° AugSeptember: average high 76 °F, low 47 °F 76°47° SepOctober: average high 62 °F, low 36 °F 62°36° OctNovember: average high 49 °F, low 26 °F 49°26° NovDecember: average high 38 °F, low 18 °F 38°18° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″January: 1.37 in precipitation 1.4 JanFebruary: 1.73 in precipitation 1.7 FebMarch: 1.74 in precipitation 1.7 MarApril: 1.00 in precipitation 1.0 AprMay: 0.99 in precipitation 1.0 MayJune: 0.41 in precipitation 0.4 JunJuly: 1.21 in precipitation 1.2 JulAugust: 1.31 in precipitation 1.3 AugSeptember: 1.85 in precipitation 1.9 SepOctober: 1.32 in precipitation 1.3 OctNovember: 1.04 in precipitation 1.0 NovDecember: 1.29 in precipitation 1.3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Cedar Pt, UT (6 mi away); precipitation: Dove Creek 12.4 Ssw, CO (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

813316b
Pleasant View, CO · 15 mi
813206b
Cahone, CO · 16 mi
813356b
Yellow Jacket, CO · 17 mi
813276b
Lewis, CO · 21 mi
845356b
Monticello, UT · 21 mi
845117a
Blanding, UT · 23 mi
813256b
Egnar, CO · 25 mi
813217a
Cortez, CO · 27 mi

Colorado planting zones →

Questions about 81324

What planting zone is ZIP code 81324?

ZIP code 81324 (Dove Creek, 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 Dove Creek, CO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 81324 is May 16; after June 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cedar Pt station.

When is the first frost in Dove Creek, CO?

The median first fall frost near 81324 is October 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 145 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 81324?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 21 – Apr 4 and set transplants outside around May 23 – Jun 6, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 81324 get?

About 15.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dove Creek 12.4 Ssw station).

How hot do summers get in Dove Creek, CO?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 24 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 81324 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Wetherill at the center of ZIP 81324: loam, well drained, pH about 7.4 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Dove Creek, CO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 81324 came on Mar 17 in 2026, 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 2), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Dove Creek, CO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 81324 is 14 h 46 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 81324 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 81324 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.