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

Planting zone for 81328 — Mancos, CO

ZIP code 81328 (Mancos, Montezuma County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is June 4 and the first fall frost September 24.

Where ZIP 81328 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 4

First frostSep 24

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 Mancos, 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 Mancos, CO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostJune 4median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 19only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 24median — 10% chance by Sep 9

Growing season111 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 21 and returns around October 2.

From the NOAA station Mancos 1sw, CO — 4 miles away, elevation 6,897 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 81328

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 14

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 14 – May 28

Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 7 – May 21

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 14 – May 28

LettuceSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 11 – Jun 25

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 18 – Jul 2

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 11 – Jun 25

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 11 – Jun 25

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 11 – Jun 25

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 30 – Aug 13

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 10 – Oct 15

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 4) and first fall frost (Sep 24) 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 81328 came on Mar 17 — 22 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 8).

average
Apr 82026
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 Mancos, CO.

Soil in Mancos, CO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 81328 is Sheek — moderately decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH5.6moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter85%high

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Sheek-Archuleta-Rock outcrop complex, 25 to 80 percent slopes, north aspect.

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 81328; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Mancos, CO

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July

Winter low12 °Faverage low, January

Hot days10days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights194nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,851base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 44 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

Precipitation15.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall57 inper year; 66 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Mancos 1sw, CO (4 mi away); precipitation: Mancos 1sw, CO (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

813307a

Mesa Verde National Park, CO · 9 mi

Yellow Jacket, CO · 29 mi

813236a

Dolores, CO · 32 mi

Colorado planting zones →

Questions about 81328

What planting zone is ZIP code 81328?

ZIP code 81328 (Mancos, 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 Mancos, CO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 81328 is June 4; after June 19 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mancos 1sw station.

When is the first frost in Mancos, CO?

The median first fall frost near 81328 is September 24, giving a median frost-free growing season of 111 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 81328?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 9 – Apr 23 and set transplants outside around Jun 11 – Jun 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 81328 get?

About 15.7 inches of precipitation a year and 57 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mancos 1sw station).

How hot do summers get in Mancos, CO?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 10 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 81328 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Sheek at the center of ZIP 81328: moderately decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 5.6 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Mancos, CO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 81328 came on Mar 17 in 2026, 22 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 8), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Mancos, CO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 81328 is 14 h 44 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.