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

Planting zone for 81426 — Ophir, CO

ZIP code 81426 (Ophir, San Miguel County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 17 and the first fall frost October 1.

Where ZIP 81426 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.

Zone5b−15 to −10 °F
Coldest night−26.1 to −23.3 °C
Last frostMay 17
First frostOct 1
2012 zone5a

Was 5a on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Ophir, 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 Ophir, CO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 17median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 3only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 1median — 10% chance by Sep 19
Growing season137 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 2 and returns around October 11.

From the NOAA station Ouray, CO — 14 miles away, elevation 7,842 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 81426

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 26
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 26 – May 10
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5
TomatoesTransplant · May 24 – Jun 7
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 31 – Jun 14
BeansSow outdoors · May 24 – Jun 7
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 24 – Jun 7
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 24 – Jun 7
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 6 – Aug 20
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 17 – Oct 22
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 17) and first fall frost (Oct 1) 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 81426 came on May 20 — 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 30).

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 5b in Colorado

546 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Colorado, and rated by the USDA to survive −15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 27

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 98

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 246

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 163

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 3

riverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °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 Ophir, CO.

Soil in Ophir, CO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 81426 is Cryorthents — extremely stony silt loam, well drained.

TextureExtremely stony silt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.1slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Cryorthents-Rubble land complex, 30 to 75 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 81426; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ophir, CO

Summer high77 °Faverage high, July
Winter low0 °Faverage low, January
Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights249nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days728base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 47 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 32 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation29.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

−10°0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 36 °F, low 0 °F 36°0° JanFebruary: average high 38 °F, low 5 °F 38°5° FebMarch: average high 44 °F, low 13 °F 44°13° MarApril: average high 51 °F, low 22 °F 51°22° AprMay: average high 60 °F, low 29 °F 60°29° MayJune: average high 73 °F, low 34 °F 73°34° JunJuly: average high 77 °F, low 41 °F 77°41° JulAugust: average high 74 °F, low 40 °F 74°40° AugSeptember: average high 68 °F, low 34 °F 68°34° SepOctober: average high 57 °F, low 23 °F 57°23° OctNovember: average high 45 °F, low 13 °F 45°13° NovDecember: average high 36 °F, low 2 °F 36°2° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″January: 2.78 in precipitation 2.8 JanFebruary: 2.91 in precipitation 2.9 FebMarch: 2.88 in precipitation 2.9 MarApril: 2.79 in precipitation 2.8 AprMay: 2.13 in precipitation 2.1 MayJune: 0.85 in precipitation 0.8 JunJuly: 2.18 in precipitation 2.2 JulAugust: 2.62 in precipitation 2.6 AugSeptember: 2.83 in precipitation 2.8 SepOctober: 2.57 in precipitation 2.6 OctNovember: 2.70 in precipitation 2.7 NovDecember: 2.60 in precipitation 2.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Telluride 4wnw, CO (6 mi away); precipitation: Mineral Creek, CO (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

814355b
Telluride, CO · 6 mi
813325b
Rico, CO · 15 mi
814275b
Ouray, CO · 16 mi
814335a
Silverton, CO · 17 mi
814305b
Placerville, CO · 19 mi
814326a
Ridgway, CO · 19 mi
813236a
Dolores, CO · 20 mi
813016a
Durango, CO · 23 mi

Colorado planting zones →

Questions about 81426

What planting zone is ZIP code 81426?

ZIP code 81426 (Ophir, CO) is in USDA hardiness zone 5b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −15 to −10 °F (−26.1 to −23.3 °C).

When is the last frost in Ophir, CO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 81426 is May 17; after June 3 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ouray station.

When is the first frost in Ophir, CO?

The median first fall frost near 81426 is October 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 137 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 81426?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 22 – Apr 5 and set transplants outside around May 24 – Jun 7, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 81426 get?

About 29.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mineral Creek station).

How hot do summers get in Ophir, CO?

The average high peaks at 77 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 81426 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cryorthents at the center of ZIP 81426: extremely stony silt loam, well drained, pH about 6.1 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Ophir, CO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 81426 came on May 20 in 2026, 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 30), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Ophir, CO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 81426 is 14 h 47 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 81426 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 81426 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.