Elizabeth, CO frost dates
Last spring frostMay 16median date
First fall frostOct 2median date
Growing season139 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Elizabeth compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Elizabeth falls between May 4 and June 1, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 18 and October 16.
- The median last frost is 5 days later than the Colorado median of May 11.
- Its 139-day growing season is longer than 41% 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 170 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Castle Rock, CO, 24 km away, the last frost here is 7 days later than there and the growing season is 7 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 4 |
| 50% (median) | May 16 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 1 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 18 |
| 50% (median) | October 2 |
| 90% (late) | October 16 |
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 Elizabeth, CO
Elizabeth, CO frost dates — last frost May 16, first frost Oct 2, 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 7 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Jun 26 to Jul 17
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Jun 26 to Jul 17
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Jun 26 to Jul 17
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 10 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Apr 18 to Apr 25Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 6Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Apr 18 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
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 10 to Jul 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 16
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 30Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 13Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6
Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 20
Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 23
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Elizabeth, 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 7 – Sep 4 |
| Kale | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Broccoli | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 2 – May 16 | — | Jun 26 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | Jun 26 – Jul 17 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 2 – May 16 | — | Jun 26 – Jul 17 |
| 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 10 – Jul 31 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 11 – May 23 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | May 30 – Jun 6 | May 23 – Jun 6 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | — | May 23 – Jun 6 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| 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 10 – Jul 24 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 25 – May 23 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 25 – May 16 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 2 – May 30 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 2 – May 23 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 23 – Jun 13 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 23 – Jun 6 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 30 – Jun 20 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 18 – Oct 23 |
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 Elizabeth 2nw, CO weather station, 3 km away (elevation 6,611 ft (2,015 m)).
Frost dates near Elizabeth
- Franktown May 16 · Oct 2
- Kiowa May 16 · Oct 2
- Parker May 9 · Oct 3
- Castle Rock May 9 · Oct 2
- Larkspur May 14 · Oct 1
- Lone Tree May 5 · Oct 8
- Elbert May 29 · Sep 21
- Louviers May 16 · Oct 1
- Monument May 14 · Oct 1
- Aurora May 7 · Oct 8
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Elizabeth, CO?
The median last spring frost in Elizabeth, CO is May 16. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 1, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Elizabeth, CO?
The median first fall frost is October 2, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 18.
How long is the growing season in Elizabeth, CO?
About 139 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Elizabeth, CO?
Elizabeth, CO is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.