Crestone, CO frost dates
Last spring frostMay 26median date
First fall frostSep 26median date
Growing season123 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Crestone compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Crestone falls between May 14 and June 9, a 26-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 14 and October 8.
- The median last frost is 15 days later than the Colorado median of May 11.
- Its 123-day growing season is longer than 31% of the 374 Colorado places with a regular frost season (state median 146 days).
- The last frost is 23 days later than the zone 5a median of May 3. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 5a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 201 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Pueblo, CO, 100 km away, the last frost here is 26 days later than there and the growing season is 39 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 14 |
| 50% (median) | May 26 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 9 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 14 |
| 50% (median) | September 26 |
| 90% (late) | October 8 |
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 Crestone, CO
Crestone, CO frost dates — last frost May 26, first frost Sep 26, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Jun 9 to Jun 23
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Jun 9 to Jun 23
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Transplant outside: Jun 2 to Jun 16
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26Plant for fall: Jun 20 to Jul 11
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19Plant for fall: Jun 20 to Jul 11
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26Plant for fall: Jun 20 to Jul 11
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Transplant outside: Jun 16 to Jun 30Sow outdoors: Jun 16 to Jun 30
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Transplant outside: Jun 2 to Jun 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 5Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Apr 28 to May 5Transplant outside: Jun 9 to Jun 16Sow outdoors: Jun 2 to Jun 16Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Jul 25
Start indoors: Apr 28 to May 5Sow outdoors: Jun 2 to Jun 16Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Apr 28 to May 5Sow outdoors: Jun 2 to Jun 16
Start indoors: Apr 28 to May 5Transplant outside: Jun 9 to Jun 23
Sow outdoors: May 5 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 18
Sow outdoors: May 5 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 26
Sow outdoors: May 12 to Jun 9Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: May 12 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Jun 2 to Jun 23Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Jul 25
Sow outdoors: Jun 2 to Jun 16
Transplant outside: Jun 9 to Jun 30
Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 17
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Crestone, CO
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Jun 9 – Jun 23 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Jun 9 – Jun 23 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | May 5 – May 19 | Apr 28 – Jun 2 | Aug 1 – Aug 29 |
| Kale | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Apr 28 – May 12 | Apr 28 – May 12 | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Broccoli | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | May 12 – May 26 | — | Jun 20 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | May 5 – May 19 | — | Jun 20 – Jul 11 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | May 12 – May 26 | — | Jun 20 – Jul 11 |
| Okra | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Jun 16 – Jun 30 | Jun 16 – Jun 30 | — |
| Basil | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 21 – Jun 2 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 28 – May 5 | Jun 9 – Jun 16 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | Jul 11 – Jul 25 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 28 – May 5 | — | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 28 – May 5 | — | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 28 – May 5 | Jun 9 – Jun 23 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 5 – Jun 2 | Jul 4 – Jul 18 |
| Beets | — | — | May 5 – Jun 2 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 5 – May 26 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 12 – Jun 9 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 12 – Jun 2 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Jun 2 – Jun 23 | Jul 11 – Jul 25 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 9 – Jun 30 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 12 – Oct 17 |
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 Crestone 2 Se, CO weather station, 3 km away (elevation 8,005 ft (2,440 m)).
Frost dates near Crestone
- Moffat May 26 · Sep 26
- Westcliffe Jun 11 · Sep 9
- Hooper May 24 · Sep 24
- Hillside Jun 11 · Sep 9
- Mosca May 30 · Sep 17
- Center May 24 · Sep 24
- Cotopaxi Jun 11 · Sep 9
- Saguache May 16 · Sep 28
- Gardner May 27 · Sep 25
- Coaldale May 29 · Sep 20
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Crestone, CO?
The median last spring frost in Crestone, CO is May 26. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 9, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Crestone, CO?
The median first fall frost is September 26, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 14.
How long is the growing season in Crestone, CO?
About 123 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Crestone, CO?
Crestone, CO is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.