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

Planting zone for 81501 — Grand Junction, CO

ZIP code 81501 (Grand Junction, Mesa County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost October 23.

Where ZIP 81501 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.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F
Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C
Last frostApr 14
First frostOct 23
2012 zone7a

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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Grand Junction, 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 Grand Junction, CO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 14median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 28only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 23median — 10% chance by Oct 11
Growing season190 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 2 and returns around November 2.

From the NOAA station Grand Junction WFO, CO — 4 miles away, elevation 4,826 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 81501

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 24
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 24 – Apr 7
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 28 – May 12
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 28 – Sep 11
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 9 – Nov 13
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 14) and first fall frost (Oct 23) 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 81501 came on Mar 6 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 20).

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 7a in Colorado

573 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Colorado, and rated by the USDA to survive 0 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7a. 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 107

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 254

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 171

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 Grand Junction, CO.

Soil in Grand Junction, CO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 81501 is Sagers — silty clay loam, well drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH8.2alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Sagers-Urban land complex, 0 to 2 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 81501; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Grand Junction, CO

Summer high95 °Faverage high, July
Winter low19 °Faverage low, January
Hot days75days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights117nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,896base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 55 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 25 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation11.4 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 39 °F, low 19 °F 39°19° JanFebruary: average high 47 °F, low 26 °F 47°26° FebMarch: average high 59 °F, low 35 °F 59°35° MarApril: average high 67 °F, low 41 °F 67°41° AprMay: average high 77 °F, low 50 °F 77°50° MayJune: average high 89 °F, low 59 °F 89°59° JunJuly: average high 95 °F, low 66 °F 95°66° JulAugust: average high 91 °F, low 64 °F 91°64° AugSeptember: average high 82 °F, low 55 °F 82°55° SepOctober: average high 67 °F, low 42 °F 67°42° OctNovember: average high 52 °F, low 30 °F 52°30° NovDecember: average high 39 °F, low 21 °F 39°21° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″January: 0.83 in precipitation 0.8 JanFebruary: 0.82 in precipitation 0.8 FebMarch: 0.96 in precipitation 1.0 MarApril: 1.03 in precipitation 1.0 AprMay: 0.99 in precipitation 1.0 MayJune: 0.56 in precipitation 0.6 JunJuly: 0.84 in precipitation 0.8 JulAugust: 1.07 in precipitation 1.1 AugSeptember: 1.36 in precipitation 1.4 SepOctober: 1.59 in precipitation 1.6 OctNovember: 0.70 in precipitation 0.7 NovDecember: 0.70 in precipitation 0.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Grand Junction WFO, CO (4 mi away); precipitation: Grand Junction 2.3 E, CO (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

815067a
Grand Junction, CO · 4 mi
815037a
Grand Junction, CO · 4 mi
815047a
Grand Junction, CO · 5 mi
815027a
Grand Junction, CO · 5 mi
815207a
Clifton, CO · 7 mi
815077a
Grand Junction, CO · 7 mi
815056b
Grand Junction, CO · 10 mi
815267a
Palisade, CO · 11 mi

All 7 ZIP codes in Grand Junction → · Colorado planting zones →

Questions about 81501

What planting zone is ZIP code 81501?

ZIP code 81501 (Grand Junction, CO) is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 0 to 5 °F (−17.8 to −15 °C).

When is the last frost in Grand Junction, CO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 81501 is April 14; after April 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Grand Junction WFO station.

When is the first frost in Grand Junction, CO?

The median first fall frost near 81501 is October 23, giving a median frost-free growing season of 190 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 81501?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 17 – Mar 3 and set transplants outside around Apr 21 – May 5, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 81501 get?

About 11.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Grand Junction 2.3 E station).

How hot do summers get in Grand Junction, CO?

The average high peaks at 95 °F in July, with about 75 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 81501 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Sagers at the center of ZIP 81501: silty clay loam, well drained, pH about 8.2 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Grand Junction, CO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 81501 came on Mar 6 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 20), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Grand Junction, CO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 81501 is 14 h 55 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.