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

Planting zone for 81411 — Bedrock, CO

ZIP code 81411 (Bedrock, Montrose County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost October 5.

Where ZIP 81411 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 11
First frostOct 5
2012 zone7a

Was 7a on the 2012 map — half a zone colder 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 Bedrock, 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 Bedrock, CO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 11median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 29only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 5median — 10% chance by Sep 23
Growing season146 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 30 and returns around October 15.

From the NOAA station Paradox 2n, CO — 10 miles away, elevation 5,446 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 81411

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 20
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 20 – May 4
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30
TomatoesTransplant · May 18 – Jun 1
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 25 – Jun 8
BeansSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 10 – Aug 24
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 21 – Oct 26
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 11) and first fall frost (Oct 5) 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 81411 came on Mar 15 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 29).

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 Bedrock, CO.

Soil in Bedrock, CO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 81411 is Gladel — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH7.9alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Gladel-Bond-Rock outcrop complex, 1 to 50 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 81411; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bedrock, CO

Summer high94 °Faverage high, July
Winter low13 °Faverage low, January
Hot days74days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights177nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,952base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 50 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 30 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation12.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 40 °F, low 13 °F 40°13° JanFebruary: average high 47 °F, low 20 °F 47°20° FebMarch: average high 59 °F, low 25 °F 59°25° MarApril: average high 66 °F, low 30 °F 66°30° AprMay: average high 77 °F, low 40 °F 77°40° MayJune: average high 88 °F, low 49 °F 88°49° JunJuly: average high 94 °F, low 57 °F 94°57° JulAugust: average high 91 °F, low 55 °F 91°55° AugSeptember: average high 83 °F, low 46 °F 83°46° SepOctober: average high 69 °F, low 34 °F 69°34° OctNovember: average high 54 °F, low 22 °F 54°22° NovDecember: average high 42 °F, low 15 °F 42°15° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″January: 1.30 in precipitation 1.3 JanFebruary: 0.89 in precipitation 0.9 FebMarch: 0.82 in precipitation 0.8 MarApril: 0.93 in precipitation 0.9 AprMay: 1.02 in precipitation 1.0 MayJune: 0.59 in precipitation 0.6 JunJuly: 1.47 in precipitation 1.5 JulAugust: 1.39 in precipitation 1.4 AugSeptember: 1.44 in precipitation 1.4 SepOctober: 1.24 in precipitation 1.2 OctNovember: 0.82 in precipitation 0.8 NovDecember: 0.94 in precipitation 0.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Paradox 2n, CO (10 mi away); precipitation: Paradox 0.8 W, CO (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

814296b
Paradox, CO · 10 mi
814226b
Naturita, CO · 15 mi
845307a
La Sal, UT · 23 mi
814316b
Redvale, CO · 26 mi
814246a
Nucla, CO · 27 mi
813256b
Egnar, CO · 27 mi
845327a
Moab, UT · 29 mi
815226b
Gateway, CO · 30 mi

Colorado planting zones →

Questions about 81411

What planting zone is ZIP code 81411?

ZIP code 81411 (Bedrock, 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 Bedrock, CO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 81411 is May 11; after May 29 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Paradox 2n station.

When is the first frost in Bedrock, CO?

The median first fall frost near 81411 is October 5, giving a median frost-free growing season of 146 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 81411?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 16 – Mar 30 and set transplants outside around May 18 – Jun 1, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 81411 get?

About 12.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Paradox 0.8 W station).

How hot do summers get in Bedrock, CO?

The average high peaks at 94 °F in July, with about 74 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 81411 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Gladel at the center of ZIP 81411: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 7.9 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Bedrock, CO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 81411 came on Mar 15 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 29), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Bedrock, CO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 81411 is 14 h 50 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 81411 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 81411 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.