Fall in zone 6aPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 81081 (Las Animas County, CO)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Lake Maloya, NM (13 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMay 2150% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostSep 2950% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)128 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone6a-10 to -5°F avg. coldest night
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Frost and freeze alerts from the NWS forecast for 81081, the spring soil-temperature heads-up for pre-emergent, and a short weekly yard-timing email.
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
53°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 55°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of La Junta 17 WSW (58 mi).
4-inch depth
55°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 56°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of La Junta 17 WSW (58 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 81081 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 55°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent window is mostly past. Next: spring, when soil reaches 50°F (typically mid-April to mid-May).
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: Mountain West and High Plains. Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Kentucky bluegrass (cool-season): Early fall: Around Labor Day (late August–September); Late fall: Late October–November, before the ground freezes; Late spring: Optional around Memorial Day. Avoid: Early-spring and midsummer feeding (pushes top growth, favors crabgrass).
Plant now
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | May 8 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | May 21 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Jun 4 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Sep 16 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Sep 29 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 10 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Jun 3 | Sep 20 |
| 32°F (freeze) | May 21 | Sep 29 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | May 10 | Oct 7 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 81081
Dates count from your average last spring frost (May 21) and first fall frost (Sep 29). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 26–Apr 9 | May 28–Jun 11 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Mar 12–26 | Jun 4–18 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Mar 12–26 | Jun 4–18 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Mar 26–Apr 9 | May 28–Jun 11 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Mar 26–Apr 9 | Apr 30–May 21 (transplant) Apr 23–Jun 4 (sow outdoors) | Aug 4–25 (transplant) Jul 21–Aug 18 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Apr 9–30 (sow outdoors) | Aug 4–25 (sowing) |
| Kale | Mar 26–Apr 9 | Apr 23–May 7 (transplant) Apr 23–May 7 (sow outdoors) | Jul 7–Aug 4 (transplant) Jun 23–Jul 21 (sowing) |
| Collards | Mar 26–Apr 9 | Apr 23–May 21 (transplant) Apr 23–May 21 (sow outdoors) | Jul 7–Aug 4 (transplant) Jun 23–Jul 21 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Mar 12–26 | Apr 23–May 7 (transplant) | Jun 23–Jul 21 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Mar 12–26 | Apr 23–May 7 (transplant) | Jun 23–Jul 21 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Mar 12–26 | May 7–21 (transplant) | Jun 23–Jul 21 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Feb 26–Mar 12 | Apr 23–May 7 (transplant) | Jun 9–30 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 26–Apr 9 | Apr 23–May 7 (transplant) Apr 23–May 7 (sow outdoors) | Jul 21–Aug 4 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Apr 23–May 7 (sow outdoors) | Aug 4–18 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Apr 23–May 21 (sow outdoors) | Aug 4–Sep 1 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Apr 23–May 14 (sow outdoors) | Aug 4–18 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Apr 9–23 | May 7–28 (transplant) May 7–Jun 4 (sow outdoors) | Jul 21–Aug 4 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Apr 23–May 21 (sow outdoors) | Jul 21–Aug 4 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Apr 30–May 28 (sow outdoors) | Jul 7–21 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Apr 16–May 28 (sow outdoors) | Aug 18–Sep 1 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Apr 23–May 14 (sow outdoors) | Jul 21–Aug 4 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Apr 30–May 21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Mar 26–Apr 23 (sow outdoors) | Jul 7–21 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Feb 26–Mar 12 | Apr 9–23 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Apr 9–May 7 (sow outdoors) | Jul 21–Aug 4 (sowing) |
| Leek | Feb 26–Mar 12 | Apr 23–May 7 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Aug 18–Sep 15 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Apr 9–23 (transplant) | Aug 18–Sep 15 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Apr 23–May 7 (transplant) | Jun 9–23 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jun 11–25 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | May 28–Jun 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | May 28–Jun 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | May 28–Jun 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Jun 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jun 11–Jul 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Apr 23–30 | May 28–Jun 11 (transplant) May 28–Jun 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Apr 23–30 | May 28–Jun 11 (transplant) May 28–Jun 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Apr 23–30 | May 28–Jun 11 (transplant) May 28–Jun 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | May 28–Jun 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Apr 23–30 | Jun 4–18 (transplant) Jun 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Apr 23–30 | Jun 4–18 (transplant) Jun 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Apr 9–23 | Jun 4–18 (transplant) Jun 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Feb 26–Mar 12 | May 28–Jun 4 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Apr 9–23 | May 28–Jun 11 (transplant) May 28–Jun 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | May 7–Jun 4 (sow outdoors) | Aug 4–18 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Mar 12–26 | May 7–21 (transplant) Apr 30–May 21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | May 21–Jun 4 (sow outdoors) | Aug 4–18 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | May 21–Jun 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Apr 23–May 7 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Apr 23–May 7 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Apr 23–May 7 (transplant) | Jul 21–Aug 18 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Plants that do well here
Colorado has a university or garden plant program: Plant Select®. Plant frost-tender annuals after May 21 here (the average last frost). Not affiliated with the program.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Lake Maloya, NM (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00294742), elevation 7,400 ft, 13.4 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trinidad Perry Stokes AP, CO | 17 mi | May 4 | Oct 9 |
| Raton Fltr Plt, NM | 18 mi | May 5 | Oct 9 |
| Trinidad, CO | 20 mi | Apr 30 | Oct 15 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 22 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 81081
When is the last frost in 81081?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 81081 is May 21. For a more cautious planting date, use June 4, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 81081?
The average first fall freeze is September 29. In 1 year in 10 it comes by September 16.
What hardiness zone is 81081?
ZIP 81081 is in USDA zone 6a (-10 to -5°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 81081 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
81082 El Moro 81046 Hoehne 88414 87740 Raton 81027 Branson 81024 81059 88418 Capulin
Other ZIP codes in Las Animas County
81020 81024 81027 81046 81049 81059 81082 81091 All Las Animas County frost dates · Colorado frost dates
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Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
- Freeze alerts
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- Weekly yard to-dos
Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.