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

Planting zone for 81326 — Hesperus, CO

ZIP code 81326 (Hesperus, La Plata County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is June 1 and the first fall frost September 27.

Where ZIP 81326 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 frostJun 1

First frostSep 27

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 Hesperus, 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 Hesperus, 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 19only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 27median — 10% chance by Sep 13

Growing season116 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 17 and returns around October 6.

From the NOAA station Ft Lewis, CO — 7 miles away, elevation 7,615 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 81326

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 81326 came on Mar 17 — 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 6).

average
Apr 62026
Mar 17

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 Hesperus, CO.

Soil in Hesperus, CO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 81326 is Witt — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.5slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Witt 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 81326; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Hesperus, CO

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July

Winter low12 °Faverage low, January

Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights205nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,577base 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

Precipitation15.6 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: Ft Lewis, CO (7 mi away); precipitation: Hesperus 13.3 Ssw, CO (3 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.

Mesa Verde National Park, CO · 21 mi

874156b

Flora Vista, NM · 22 mi

874106b

Aztec, NM · 23 mi

Colorado planting zones →

Questions about 81326

What planting zone is ZIP code 81326?

ZIP code 81326 (Hesperus, 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 Hesperus, CO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 81326 is June 1; after June 19 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ft Lewis station.

When is the first frost in Hesperus, CO?

The median first fall frost near 81326 is September 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 116 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 81326?

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 81326 get?

About 15.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hesperus 13.3 Ssw station).

How hot do summers get in Hesperus, CO?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in July, with about 2 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 81326 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Witt at the center of ZIP 81326: loam, well drained, pH about 7.5 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Hesperus, CO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 81326 came on Mar 17 in 2026, 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Hesperus, CO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 81326 is 14 h 43 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.