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

Planting zone for 82054 — Carpenter, WY

ZIP code 82054 (Carpenter, Laramie County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost September 26.

Where ZIP 82054 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 14
First frostSep 26
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 Carpenter, 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 Carpenter, WY

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 14median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 27only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 26median — 10% chance by Sep 12
Growing season133 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 3 and returns around October 4.

From the NOAA station Carpenter 3n, WY — 2 miles away, elevation 5,437 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 82054

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 23
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 23 – May 7
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
TomatoesTransplant · May 21 – Jun 4
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 28 – Jun 11
BeansSow outdoors · May 21 – Jun 4
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 21 – Jun 4
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 21 – Jun 4
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 14) 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 82054 came on Mar 4 — 31 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 4).

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.

Trees 22

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 °Fblue spruce100 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Fboxelder60 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FDouglas-fir200 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 99

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Falderleaf 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 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 254

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine bistort1 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine mountainsorrel1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °Falpine sweetvetch2 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −62 °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 162

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

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °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 Carpenter, WY.

Soil in Carpenter, WY

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 82054 is Altvan — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Altvan loam, 0 to 3 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 82054; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Carpenter, WY

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July
Winter low13 °Faverage low, January
Hot days27days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights176nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,281base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 08 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 13 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation15.3 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall35 inper year; 32 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 40 °F, low 13 °F 40°13° JanFebruary: average high 42 °F, low 14 °F 42°14° FebMarch: average high 52 °F, low 21 °F 52°21° MarApril: average high 59 °F, low 30 °F 59°30° AprMay: average high 68 °F, low 40 °F 68°40° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 48 °F 81°48° JunJuly: average high 87 °F, low 55 °F 87°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 33 °F 63°33° OctNovember: average high 49 °F, low 21 °F 49°21° NovDecember: average high 41 °F, low 13 °F 41°13° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″January: 0.25 in precipitation, 4.3 in snowfall 0.3❄4 JanFebruary: 0.39 in precipitation, 5.4 in snowfall 0.4❄5 FebMarch: 0.79 in precipitation, 6.7 in snowfall 0.8❄7 MarApril: 1.44 in precipitation, 4.6 in snowfall 1.4❄5 AprMay: 2.42 in precipitation, 0.8 in snowfall 2.4❄1 MayJune: 2.10 in precipitation 2.1 JunJuly: 2.21 in precipitation 2.2 JulAugust: 1.88 in precipitation 1.9 AugSeptember: 1.87 in precipitation, 0.4 in snowfall 1.9 SepOctober: 1.12 in precipitation, 2.8 in snowfall 1.1❄3 OctNovember: 0.47 in precipitation, 6 in snowfall 0.5❄6 NovDecember: 0.40 in precipitation, 3.5 in snowfall 0.4❄4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Carpenter 3n, WY (2 mi away); precipitation: Carpenter 3n, WY (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

807325a
Hereford, CO · 6 mi
820535a
Burns, WY · 12 mi
807295a
Grover, CO · 15 mi
820075b
Cheyenne, WY · 17 mi
820605a
Hillsdale, WY · 17 mi
820035b
Cheyenne, WY · 19 mi
820825a
Pine Bluffs, WY · 20 mi
820505b
Albin, WY · 27 mi

Wyoming planting zones →

Questions about 82054

What planting zone is ZIP code 82054?

ZIP code 82054 (Carpenter, 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 Carpenter, WY?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 82054 is May 14; after May 27 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Carpenter 3n station.

When is the first frost in Carpenter, WY?

The median first fall frost near 82054 is September 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 133 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 82054?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 19 – Apr 2 and set transplants outside around May 21 – Jun 4, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 82054 get?

About 15.3 inches of precipitation a year and 35 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Carpenter 3n station).

How hot do summers get in Carpenter, WY?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 27 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 82054 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Altvan at the center of ZIP 82054: loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Carpenter, WY in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 82054 came on Mar 4 in 2026, 31 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Carpenter, WY?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 82054 is 15 h 08 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 82054 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 82054 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.