Frost dates for ZIP 81046 (Hoehne, 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, Trinidad Perry Stokes AP, CO (3 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMay 450% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 950% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)156 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone6a-10 to -5°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 17, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
52°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 57°F, as of Oct 17, 9:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of La Junta 17 WSW (49 mi).
4-inch depth
55°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 57°F, as of Oct 17, 9:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of La Junta 17 WSW (49 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 81046 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) | Apr 20 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | May 4 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | May 19 |
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 28 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 9 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 21 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | May 15 | Oct 1 |
| 32°F (freeze) | May 4 | Oct 9 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Apr 23 | Oct 18 |
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 81046
Dates count from your average last spring frost (May 4) and first fall frost (Oct 9). 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 9–23 | May 11–25 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Feb 23–Mar 9 | May 18–Jun 1 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Feb 23–Mar 9 | May 18–Jun 1 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Mar 9–23 | May 11–25 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Mar 9–23 | Apr 13–May 4 (transplant) Apr 6–May 18 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–Sep 4 (transplant) Jul 31–Aug 28 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Mar 23–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–Sep 4 (sowing) |
| Kale | Mar 9–23 | Apr 6–20 (transplant) Apr 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Jul 17–Aug 14 (transplant) Jul 3–31 (sowing) |
| Collards | Mar 9–23 | Apr 6–May 4 (transplant) Apr 6–May 4 (sow outdoors) | Jul 17–Aug 14 (transplant) Jul 3–31 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Feb 23–Mar 9 | Apr 6–20 (transplant) | Jul 3–31 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Feb 23–Mar 9 | Apr 6–20 (transplant) | Jul 3–31 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Feb 23–Mar 9 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | Jul 3–31 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Feb 9–23 | Apr 6–20 (transplant) | Jun 19–Jul 10 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 9–23 | Apr 6–20 (transplant) Apr 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Jul 31–Aug 14 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Apr 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–28 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Apr 6–May 4 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Apr 6–27 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–28 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Mar 23–Apr 6 | Apr 20–May 11 (transplant) Apr 20–May 18 (sow outdoors) | Jul 31–Aug 14 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Apr 6–May 4 (sow outdoors) | Jul 31–Aug 14 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Apr 13–May 11 (sow outdoors) | Jul 17–31 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Mar 30–May 11 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Apr 6–27 (sow outdoors) | Jul 31–Aug 14 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Apr 13–May 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Mar 9–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | Jul 17–31 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Feb 9–23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Mar 23–Apr 20 (sow outdoors) | Jul 31–Aug 14 (sowing) |
| Leek | Feb 9–23 | Apr 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Aug 28–Sep 25 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Mar 23–Apr 6 (transplant) | Aug 28–Sep 25 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Apr 6–20 (transplant) | Jun 19–Jul 3 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | May 25–Jun 8 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | May 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | May 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | May 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | May 18–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | May 25–Jun 15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Apr 6–13 | May 11–25 (transplant) May 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Apr 6–13 | May 11–25 (transplant) May 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Apr 6–13 | May 11–25 (transplant) May 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | May 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Apr 6–13 | May 18–Jun 1 (transplant) May 18–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Apr 6–13 | May 18–Jun 1 (transplant) May 18–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Mar 23–Apr 6 | May 18–Jun 1 (transplant) May 18–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Feb 9–23 | May 11–18 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Mar 23–Apr 6 | May 11–25 (transplant) May 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Apr 20–May 18 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–28 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Feb 23–Mar 9 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) Apr 13–May 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | May 4–18 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–28 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | May 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Apr 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Apr 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Apr 6–20 (transplant) | Jul 31–Aug 28 (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 4 here (the average last frost). Not affiliated with the program.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Trinidad Perry Stokes AP, CO (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USW00023070), elevation 5,741 ft, 2.9 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trinidad, CO | 10 mi | Apr 30 | Oct 15 |
| Trinidad Lake, CO | 14 mi | May 11 | Oct 4 |
| Lake Maloya, NM | 22 mi | May 21 | Sep 29 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 22 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 81046
When is the last frost in 81046?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 81046 is May 4. For a more cautious planting date, use May 19, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 81046?
The average first fall freeze is October 9. In 1 year in 10 it comes by September 28.
What hardiness zone is 81046?
ZIP 81046 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 81046 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 81020 Lynn 81024 81081 81059 81089 Walsenburg 81091 Weston 81027 Branson
Other ZIP codes in Las Animas County
81020 81024 81027 81049 81059 81081 81082 81091 All Las Animas County frost dates · Colorado frost dates
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