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

Planting zone for 81642 — Meredith, CO

ZIP code 81642 (Meredith, Pitkin County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is June 2 and the first fall frost September 23.

Where ZIP 81642 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.

Zone5a−20 to −15 °F
Coldest night−28.9 to −26.1 °C
Last frostJun 2
First frostSep 23
2012 zone5a

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 5a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Meredith, 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 Meredith, CO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostJune 2median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 17only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 23median — 10% chance by Sep 12
Growing season113 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 18 and returns around October 1.

From the NOAA station Aspen 1sw, CO — 17 miles away, elevation 8,176 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 81642

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 12
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 12 – May 26
Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 5 – May 19
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 12 – May 26
LettuceSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26
TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
TomatoesTransplant · Jun 9 – Jun 23
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 16 – Jun 30
BeansSow outdoors · Jun 9 – Jun 23
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 9 – Jun 23
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 9 – Jun 23
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 (Jun 2) 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 81642 came on Apr 26 — 18 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 14).

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 5a in Colorado

532 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Colorado, and rated by the USDA to survive −20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5a. 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 95

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 239

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 159

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 Meredith, CO.

Soil in Meredith, CO

The center of ZIP 81642 is mapped as Rock outcrop-Rubble land complex: built-over ground without natural soil data. Garden soil here is usually imported or disturbed — test before you plant.

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 81642; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Meredith, CO

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July
Winter low4 °Faverage low, January
Hot days4days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights272nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days916base 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
Precipitation34.9 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 34 °F, low 4 °F 34°4° JanFebruary: average high 36 °F, low 6 °F 36°6° FebMarch: average high 43 °F, low 13 °F 43°13° MarApril: average high 51 °F, low 21 °F 51°21° AprMay: average high 63 °F, low 28 °F 63°28° MayJune: average high 75 °F, low 34 °F 75°34° JunJuly: average high 81 °F, low 40 °F 81°40° JulAugust: average high 80 °F, low 39 °F 80°39° AugSeptember: average high 71 °F, low 32 °F 71°32° SepOctober: average high 61 °F, low 23 °F 61°23° OctNovember: average high 45 °F, low 13 °F 45°13° NovDecember: average high 34 °F, low 5 °F 34°5° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.62 in precipitation 3.6 JanFebruary: 3.46 in precipitation 3.5 FebMarch: 4.11 in precipitation 4.1 MarApril: 4.82 in precipitation 4.8 AprMay: 3.13 in precipitation 3.1 MayJune: 1.33 in precipitation 1.3 JunJuly: 1.90 in precipitation 1.9 JulAugust: 1.91 in precipitation 1.9 AugSeptember: 1.93 in precipitation 1.9 SepOctober: 2.64 in precipitation 2.6 OctNovember: 3.01 in precipitation 3.0 NovDecember: 3.08 in precipitation 3.1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Meredith, CO (10 mi away); precipitation: Ivanhoe, CO (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

816455a
Minturn, CO · 11 mi
816565b
Woody Creek, CO · 12 mi
816115a
Aspen, CO · 12 mi
812515a
Twin Lakes, CO · 14 mi
804295a
Climax, CO · 15 mi
804615a
Leadville, CO · 16 mi
816216a
Basalt, CO · 17 mi
816495a
Red Cliff, CO · 19 mi

Colorado planting zones →

Questions about 81642

What planting zone is ZIP code 81642?

ZIP code 81642 (Meredith, CO) is in USDA hardiness zone 5a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −20 to −15 °F (−28.9 to −26.1 °C).

When is the last frost in Meredith, CO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 81642 is June 2; after June 17 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Aspen 1sw station.

When is the first frost in Meredith, CO?

The median first fall frost near 81642 is September 23, giving a median frost-free growing season of 113 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 81642?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 7 – Apr 21 and set transplants outside around Jun 9 – Jun 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 81642 get?

About 34.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ivanhoe station).

How hot do summers get in Meredith, CO?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 4 days a year at 90 °F or more.

Did spring come early in Meredith, CO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 81642 came on Apr 26 in 2026, 18 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 14), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Meredith, CO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 81642 is 14 h 56 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.