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

Planting zone for 81523 — Glade Park, CO

ZIP code 81523 (Glade Park, Mesa County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 21 and the first fall frost September 26.

Where ZIP 81523 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 21
First frostSep 26
2012 zone6b

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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Glade Park, 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 Glade Park, CO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 21median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 9only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 26median — 10% chance by Sep 14
Growing season126 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 6 and returns around October 5.

From the NOAA station Glade Park 17w, CO — 9 miles away, elevation 6,322 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 81523

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 30
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
TomatoesTransplant · May 28 – Jun 11
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 4 – Jun 18
BeansSow outdoors · May 28 – Jun 11
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 28 – Jun 11
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 28 – Jun 11
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 1 – Aug 15
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 12 – Oct 17
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 21) and first fall frost (Sep 26) 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 81523 came on Mar 20 — 23 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 12).

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 Glade Park, CO.

Soil in Glade Park, CO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 81523 is Tragmon — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Tragmon loam, 3 to 15 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 81523; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Glade Park, CO

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July
Winter low12 °Faverage low, January
Hot days32days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights178nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,305base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 54 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 26 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation14.7 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall59 inper year; 92 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 39 °F, low 12 °F 39°12° JanFebruary: average high 42 °F, low 17 °F 42°17° FebMarch: average high 52 °F, low 25 °F 52°25° MarApril: average high 59 °F, low 32 °F 59°32° AprMay: average high 70 °F, low 40 °F 70°40° MayJune: average high 82 °F, low 48 °F 82°48° JunJuly: average high 88 °F, low 55 °F 88°55° JulAugust: average high 85 °F, low 53 °F 85°53° AugSeptember: average high 77 °F, low 43 °F 77°43° SepOctober: average high 63 °F, low 31 °F 63°31° OctNovember: average high 49 °F, low 22 °F 49°22° NovDecember: average high 38 °F, low 12 °F 38°12° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″January: 1.07 in precipitation, 9.5 in snowfall 1.1❄10 JanFebruary: 1.24 in precipitation, 11.4 in snowfall 1.2❄11 FebMarch: 1.41 in precipitation, 9.6 in snowfall 1.4❄10 MarApril: 1.39 in precipitation, 4.3 in snowfall 1.4❄4 AprMay: 1.30 in precipitation, 0.6 in snowfall 1.3❄1 MayJune: 0.67 in precipitation 0.7 JunJuly: 0.88 in precipitation 0.9 JulAugust: 1.05 in precipitation 1.1 AugSeptember: 1.57 in precipitation 1.6 SepOctober: 1.64 in precipitation, 1.5 in snowfall 1.6❄2 OctNovember: 1.29 in precipitation, 7 in snowfall 1.3❄7 NovDecember: 1.22 in precipitation, 15.2 in snowfall 1.2❄15 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Glade Park 17w, CO (9 mi away); precipitation: Glade Park 17w, 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.

815077a
Grand Junction, CO · 14 mi
815217a
Fruita, CO · 16 mi
815226b
Gateway, CO · 17 mi
815017a
Grand Junction, CO · 21 mi
815067a
Grand Junction, CO · 23 mi
815027a
Grand Junction, CO · 23 mi
815037a
Grand Junction, CO · 23 mi
815257a
Mack, CO · 24 mi

Colorado planting zones →

Questions about 81523

What planting zone is ZIP code 81523?

ZIP code 81523 (Glade Park, 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 Glade Park, CO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 81523 is May 21; after June 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Glade Park 17w station.

When is the first frost in Glade Park, CO?

The median first fall frost near 81523 is September 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 126 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 81523?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 26 – Apr 9 and set transplants outside around May 28 – Jun 11, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 81523 get?

About 14.7 inches of precipitation a year and 59 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Glade Park 17w station).

How hot do summers get in Glade Park, CO?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 32 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 81523 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Tragmon at the center of ZIP 81523: loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Glade Park, CO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 81523 came on Mar 20 in 2026, 23 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Glade Park, CO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 81523 is 14 h 54 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.