Gardner, CO frost dates
Last spring frostMay 27median date
First fall frostSep 25median date
Growing season121 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Gardner compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Gardner falls between May 12 and June 10, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 11 and October 8.
- The median last frost is 16 days later than the Colorado median of May 11.
- Its 121-day growing season is longer than 29% of the 374 Colorado places with a regular frost season (state median 146 days).
- The last frost is 28 days later than the zone 6a median of Apr 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 171 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Pueblo, CO, 71 km away, the last frost here is 27 days later than there and the growing season is 41 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 12 |
| 50% (median) | May 27 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 10 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 11 |
| 50% (median) | September 25 |
| 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 Gardner, CO
Gardner, CO frost dates — last frost May 27, first frost Sep 25, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: Jun 10 to Jun 24
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: Jun 10 to Jun 24
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Transplant outside: Jun 3 to Jun 17
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to Jun 3Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27Plant for fall: Jun 19 to Jul 10
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20Plant for fall: Jun 19 to Jul 10
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27Plant for fall: Jun 19 to Jul 10
Start indoors: Apr 15 to Apr 29Transplant outside: Jun 17 to Jul 1Sow outdoors: Jun 17 to Jul 1
Start indoors: Apr 15 to Apr 29Transplant outside: Jun 3 to Jun 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 6Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 6Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to Jun 3Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Apr 29 to May 6Transplant outside: Jun 10 to Jun 17Sow outdoors: Jun 3 to Jun 17Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 24
Start indoors: Apr 29 to May 6Sow outdoors: Jun 3 to Jun 17Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Apr 29 to May 6Sow outdoors: Jun 3 to Jun 17
Start indoors: Apr 29 to May 6Transplant outside: Jun 10 to Jun 24
Sow outdoors: May 6 to Jun 3Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 17
Sow outdoors: May 6 to Jun 3Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 27
Sow outdoors: May 13 to Jun 10Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: May 13 to Jun 3Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Jun 3 to Jun 24Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 24
Sow outdoors: Jun 3 to Jun 17
Transplant outside: Jun 10 to Jul 1
Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 16
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Gardner, CO
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Jun 10 – Jun 24 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Jun 10 – Jun 24 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | May 6 – May 20 | Apr 29 – Jun 3 | Jul 31 – Aug 28 |
| Kale | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Apr 29 – May 13 | Apr 29 – May 13 | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Broccoli | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | May 13 – May 27 | — | Jun 19 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | May 6 – May 20 | — | Jun 19 – Jul 10 |
| Cauliflower | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | May 13 – May 27 | — | Jun 19 – Jul 10 |
| Okra | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Jun 17 – Jul 1 | Jun 17 – Jul 1 | — |
| Basil | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | Jul 3 – Jul 24 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 22 – Jun 3 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 29 – May 6 | Jun 10 – Jun 17 | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | Jul 10 – Jul 24 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 29 – May 6 | — | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 29 – May 6 | — | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 29 – May 6 | Jun 10 – Jun 24 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 6 – Jun 3 | Jul 3 – Jul 17 |
| Beets | — | — | May 6 – Jun 3 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 6 – May 27 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 13 – Jun 10 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 13 – Jun 3 | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Jun 3 – Jun 24 | Jul 10 – Jul 24 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 10 – Jul 1 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 11 – Oct 16 |
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 Sheep Mtn, CO weather station, 9 km away (elevation 7,743 ft (2,360 m)).
Frost dates near Gardner
- Rye May 5 · Oct 10
- La Veta May 6 · Oct 4
- Colorado City May 5 · Oct 10
- Wetmore Jun 11 · Sep 9
- Beulah May 5 · Oct 10
- Walsenburg May 6 · Oct 4
- Westcliffe Jun 11 · Sep 9
- Fort Garland May 25 · Sep 22
- Crestone May 26 · Sep 26
- Blanca May 25 · Sep 22
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Gardner, CO?
The median last spring frost in Gardner, CO is May 27. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 10, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Gardner, CO?
The median first fall frost is September 25, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 11.
How long is the growing season in Gardner, CO?
About 121 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Gardner, CO?
Gardner, CO is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.