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

Planting zone for 82052 — Buford, WY

ZIP code 82052 (Buford, Albany County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 27 and the first fall frost September 19.

Where ZIP 82052 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 frostMay 27

First frostSep 19

2012 zone5a

Was 5a on the 2012 map — half a 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 Buford, WY…

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 Buford, WY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 27median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 13only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 19median — 10% chance by Sep 3

Growing season115 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 12 and returns around September 30.

From the NOAA station Hecla 1e, WY — 9 miles away, elevation 6,690 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 82052

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 15 – May 6

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 6 – May 20

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 6 – May 20

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 3 – Jun 17

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 10 – Jun 24

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 3 – Jun 17

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 3 – Jun 17

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 3 – Jun 17

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 25 – Aug 8

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 5 – Oct 10

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 27) and first fall frost (Sep 19) 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 82052 came on Mar 27 — 33 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 29).

average
Apr 292026
Mar 27

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 Wyoming

549 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Wyoming, 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 Buford, WY.

Soil in Buford, WY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 82052 is Hapjack — gravelly sandy loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH7.2neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Hapjack-Rogert-Amesmont complex, 3 to 25 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 82052; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Buford, WY

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July

Winter low16 °Faverage low, February

Hot days5days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights187nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,743base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 08 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 12 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation20.6 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: Hecla 1e, WY (9 mi away); precipitation: Warren AFB 20.6 Wsw, WY (6 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.

820735b

Laramie, WY · 6 mi

820595b

Granite Canon, WY · 10 mi

820845b

Tie Siding, WY · 10 mi

805365b

Livermore, CO · 17 mi

Wellington, CO · 24 mi

820055b

Fe Warren Afb, WY · 25 mi

Wyoming planting zones →

Questions about 82052

What planting zone is ZIP code 82052?

ZIP code 82052 (Buford, WY) 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 Buford, WY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 82052 is May 27; after June 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hecla 1e station.

When is the first frost in Buford, WY?

The median first fall frost near 82052 is September 19, giving a median frost-free growing season of 115 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 82052?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 1 – Apr 15 and set transplants outside around Jun 3 – Jun 17, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 82052 get?

About 20.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Warren AFB 20.6 Wsw station).

How hot do summers get in Buford, WY?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 5 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 82052 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Hapjack at the center of ZIP 82052: gravelly sandy loam, well drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Buford, WY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 82052 came on Mar 27 in 2026, 33 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 29), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Buford, WY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 82052 is 15 h 08 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 82052 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 82052 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.