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

Planting zone for 81424 — Nucla, CO

ZIP code 81424 (Nucla, Montrose County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost October 18.

Where ZIP 81424 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 frostApr 26
First frostOct 18
2012 zone6b

Was 6b 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 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Nucla, 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 Nucla, CO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 26median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 8only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 18median — 10% chance by Oct 6
Growing season174 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 12 and returns around October 27.

From the NOAA station Uravan, CO — 13 miles away, elevation 5,020 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 81424

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Apr 5
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 5 – Apr 19
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15
TomatoesTransplant · May 3 – May 17
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 10 – May 24
BeansSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 23 – Sep 6
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 4 – Nov 8
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 26) and first fall frost (Oct 18) 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 81424 came on Mar 18 — 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 4).

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.

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 251

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 167

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 Nucla, CO.

Soil in Nucla, CO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 81424 is Mirand family — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Mirand-Callan families-Chilson variant complex, 3 to 20 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 81424; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Nucla, CO

Summer high97 °Faverage high, July
Winter low17 °Faverage low, January
Hot days81days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights149nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,674base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 50 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 29 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation33.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°110°32 °FJanuary: average high 45 °F, low 17 °F 45°17° JanFebruary: average high 51 °F, low 23 °F 51°23° FebMarch: average high 61 °F, low 30 °F 61°30° MarApril: average high 68 °F, low 36 °F 68°36° AprMay: average high 79 °F, low 45 °F 79°45° MayJune: average high 91 °F, low 54 °F 91°54° JunJuly: average high 97 °F, low 62 °F 97°62° JulAugust: average high 94 °F, low 60 °F 94°60° AugSeptember: average high 85 °F, low 50 °F 85°50° SepOctober: average high 72 °F, low 37 °F 72°37° OctNovember: average high 57 °F, low 28 °F 57°28° NovDecember: average high 45 °F, low 19 °F 45°19° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 4.55 in precipitation 4.5 JanFebruary: 4.12 in precipitation 4.1 FebMarch: 3.86 in precipitation 3.9 MarApril: 3.04 in precipitation 3.0 AprMay: 2.31 in precipitation 2.3 MayJune: 0.64 in precipitation 0.6 JunJuly: 1.49 in precipitation 1.5 JulAugust: 1.81 in precipitation 1.8 AugSeptember: 2.04 in precipitation 2.0 SepOctober: 2.45 in precipitation 2.5 OctNovember: 2.77 in precipitation 2.8 NovDecember: 4.05 in precipitation 4.0 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Uravan, CO (13 mi away); precipitation: Columbine Pass, CO (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

814226b
Naturita, CO · 11 mi
814316b
Redvale, CO · 14 mi
814296b
Paradox, CO · 21 mi
814256b
Olathe, CO · 22 mi
814236a
Norwood, CO · 24 mi
814166b
Delta, CO · 24 mi
814116b
Bedrock, CO · 27 mi
814305b
Placerville, CO · 31 mi

Colorado planting zones →

Questions about 81424

What planting zone is ZIP code 81424?

ZIP code 81424 (Nucla, 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 Nucla, CO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 81424 is April 26; after May 8 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Uravan station.

When is the first frost in Nucla, CO?

The median first fall frost near 81424 is October 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 174 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 81424?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 1 – Mar 15 and set transplants outside around May 3 – May 17, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 81424 get?

About 33.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Columbine Pass station).

How hot do summers get in Nucla, CO?

The average high peaks at 97 °F in July, with about 81 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 81424 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Mirand family at the center of ZIP 81424: loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Nucla, CO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 81424 came on Mar 18 in 2026, 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Nucla, CO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 81424 is 14 h 50 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 81424 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 81424 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.