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

Planting zone for 81657 — Vail, CO

ZIP code 81657 (Vail, Eagle County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is June 21 and the first fall frost September 7.

Where ZIP 81657 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 frostJun 21

First frostSep 7

2012 zone4b

Was 4b on the 2012 map — a full 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 Vail, 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 Vail, CO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostJune 21median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJuly 9only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 7median — 10% chance by Aug 26

Growing season77 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 31 and returns around September 21.

From the NOAA station Vail, CO — 2 miles away, elevation 8,304 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 81657

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24

SpinachSow outdoors · May 10 – May 31

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 31 – Jun 14

Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 24 – Jun 7

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 31 – Jun 14

LettuceSow outdoors · May 24 – Jun 7

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 31 – Jun 14

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 26 – May 10

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 28 – Jul 12

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jul 5 – Jul 19

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 28 – Jul 12

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 28 – Jul 12

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 28 – Jul 12

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 13 – Jul 27

GarlicPlant cloves · Aug 24 – Sep 28

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 21) and first fall frost (Sep 7) 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 81657 came on May 6 — 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 18).

average
May 182026
May 6

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.

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 Vail, CO.

Soil in Vail, CO

The center of ZIP 81657 is mapped as Urban land: 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 81657; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Vail, CO

Summer high77 °Faverage high, July

Winter low7 °Faverage low, January

Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights248nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days744base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 59 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 22 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation22.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall189 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Vail, CO (2 mi away); precipitation: Vail, CO (2 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.

804985a

Silverthorne, CO · 7 mi

Red Cliff, CO · 12 mi

804974b

Silverthorne, CO · 12 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Vail → · Colorado planting zones →

Questions about 81657

What planting zone is ZIP code 81657?

ZIP code 81657 (Vail, 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 Vail, CO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 81657 is June 21; after July 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Vail station.

When is the first frost in Vail, CO?

The median first fall frost near 81657 is September 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 77 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 81657?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 26 – May 10 and set transplants outside around Jun 28 – Jul 12, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 81657 get?

About 22.4 inches of precipitation a year and 189 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Vail station).

How hot do summers get in Vail, CO?

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

Did spring come early in Vail, CO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 81657 came on May 6 in 2026, 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Vail, CO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 81657 is 14 h 59 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 81657 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 81657 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.