Buffalo Creek, CO frost dates
Last spring frostMay 16median date
First fall frostSep 29median date
Growing season136 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Buffalo Creek compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Buffalo Creek falls between May 3 and June 6, a 34-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 16 and October 11.
- The median last frost is 5 days later than the Colorado median of May 11.
- Its 136-day growing season is longer than 38% of the 374 Colorado places with a regular frost season (state median 146 days).
- The last frost is 15 days later than the zone 5b median of May 1. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 5b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 207 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Castle Rock, CO, 34 km away, the last frost here is 7 days later than there and the growing season is 10 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 3 |
| 50% (median) | May 16 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 6 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 16 |
| 50% (median) | September 29 |
| 90% (late) | October 11 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Buffalo Creek, CO
Buffalo Creek, CO frost dates — last frost May 16, first frost Sep 29, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 13
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 13
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Jun 23 to Jul 14
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Jun 23 to Jul 14
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Jun 23 to Jul 14
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Transplant outside: Jun 6 to Jun 20Sow outdoors: Jun 6 to Jun 20
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Apr 18 to Apr 25Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 6Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Apr 18 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Apr 18 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Apr 18 to Apr 25Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 16
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 30Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 13Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Jul 28
Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6
Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 20
Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 20
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Buffalo Creek, CO
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 30 – Jun 13 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 30 – Jun 13 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Apr 25 – May 9 | Apr 18 – May 23 | Aug 4 – Sep 1 |
| Kale | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Broccoli | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 2 – May 16 | — | Jun 23 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | Jun 23 – Jul 14 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 2 – May 16 | — | Jun 23 – Jul 14 |
| Okra | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | — |
| Basil | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 11 – May 23 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | May 30 – Jun 6 | May 23 – Jun 6 | Jul 14 – Jul 28 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | — | May 23 – Jun 6 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | — | May 23 – Jun 6 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | May 30 – Jun 13 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 25 – May 23 | Jul 7 – Jul 21 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 25 – May 23 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 25 – May 16 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 2 – May 30 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 2 – May 23 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 23 – Jun 13 | Jul 14 – Jul 28 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 23 – Jun 6 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 30 – Jun 20 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 15 – Oct 20 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Strontia Springs Dam, CO weather station, 14 km away (elevation 5,840 ft (1,780 m)).
Frost dates near Buffalo Creek
- Pine Jun 16 · Sep 8
- Conifer May 23 · Sep 22
- Bailey Jun 16 · Sep 8
- Sedalia May 16 · Oct 1
- Evergreen May 23 · Sep 22
- Louviers May 16 · Oct 1
- Shawnee Jun 16 · Sep 8
- Morrison May 2 · Oct 11
- Indian Hills May 23 · Sep 22
- Littleton May 2 · Oct 11
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Buffalo Creek, CO?
The median last spring frost in Buffalo Creek, CO is May 16. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 6, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Buffalo Creek, CO?
The median first fall frost is September 29, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 16.
How long is the growing season in Buffalo Creek, CO?
About 136 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Buffalo Creek, CO?
Buffalo Creek, CO is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.