Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 81623 — Carbondale, CO

ZIP code 81623 (Carbondale, Garfield County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 31 and the first fall frost September 23.

Where ZIP 81623 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 frostMay 31

First frostSep 23

2012 zone6a

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 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Carbondale, 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 Carbondale, CO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostMay 31median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 14only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 23median — 10% chance by Sep 11

Growing season114 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 13 and returns around October 2.

From the NOAA station Aspen Pitkin Co. Airport, CO — 16 miles away, elevation 7,720 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 81623

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 10

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 10 – May 24

Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 3 – May 17

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 10 – May 24

LettuceSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 7 – Jun 21

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 14 – Jun 28

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 7 – Jun 21

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 7 – Jun 21

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 7 – Jun 21

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 29 – Aug 12

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 9 – Oct 14

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 31) and first fall frost (Sep 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 81623 came on May 8 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 22).

average
May 222026
May 8

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.

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 Carbondale, CO.

Soil in Carbondale, CO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 81623 is Tolby family — slightly decomposed plant material, excessively drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageExcessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter75%high

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Tolby family-Rock outcrop-Hiwan family, moist complex, 40 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 81623; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Carbondale, CO

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July

Winter low9 °Faverage low, January

Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights212nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,507base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 56 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 24 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation33 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Aspen Pitkin Co. Airport, CO (16 mi away); precipitation: Mc Clure Pass, CO (11 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.

816546a

Snowmass, CO · 7 mi

816155b

Snowmass Village, CO · 12 mi

816216a

Basalt, CO · 18 mi

816565b

Woody Creek, CO · 20 mi

812255a

Crested Butte, CO · 21 mi

816125a

Aspen, CO · 22 mi

816026a

Glenwood Springs, CO · 23 mi

814346a

Somerset, CO · 23 mi

Colorado planting zones →

Questions about 81623

What planting zone is ZIP code 81623?

ZIP code 81623 (Carbondale, 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 Carbondale, CO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 81623 is May 31; after June 14 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Aspen Pitkin Co. Airport station.

When is the first frost in Carbondale, CO?

The median first fall frost near 81623 is September 23, giving a median frost-free growing season of 114 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 81623?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 5 – Apr 19 and set transplants outside around Jun 7 – Jun 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 81623 get?

About 33 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mc Clure Pass station).

How hot do summers get in Carbondale, CO?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 2 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 81623 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Tolby family at the center of ZIP 81623: slightly decomposed plant material, excessively drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Carbondale, CO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 81623 came on May 8 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 22), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Carbondale, CO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 81623 is 14 h 56 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.