Gateway, CO frost dates
Last spring frostApr 20median date
First fall frostOct 21median date
Growing season184 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Gateway compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Gateway falls between April 1 and May 5, a 34-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 7 and November 3.
- The median last frost is 21 days earlier than the Colorado median of May 11.
- Its 184-day growing season is among the longest of the 374 Colorado places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is typical for zone 6b, where the median is Apr 22.
- The weather station records an average of 127 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Grand Junction, CO, 57 km away, the last frost here is 3 days earlier than there and the growing season is 4 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 1 |
| 50% (median) | April 20 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 5 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 7 |
| 50% (median) | October 21 |
| 90% (late) | November 3 |
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 Gateway, CO
Gateway, CO frost dates — last frost Apr 20, first frost Oct 21, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Mar 30Transplant outside: May 4 to May 11Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Mar 30Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Mar 30Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 11
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Mar 30Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 11
Transplant outside: May 4 to May 25
Plant for fall: Oct 7 to Nov 11
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Gateway, CO
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | May 4 – May 18 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | May 4 – May 18 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Mar 23 – Apr 27 | Aug 26 – Sep 23 |
| Kale | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Broccoli | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Okra | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | May 11 – May 25 | May 11 – May 25 | — |
| Basil | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 9 – Mar 30 | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 9 – Mar 30 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 27 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 23 – Mar 30 | May 4 – May 11 | Apr 27 – May 11 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 23 – Mar 30 | — | Apr 27 – May 11 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 23 – Mar 30 | — | Apr 27 – May 11 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 23 – Mar 30 | May 4 – May 18 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 27 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 27 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 20 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 6 – May 4 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 27 – May 18 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 27 – May 11 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 4 – May 25 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 7 – Nov 11 |
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 Gateway 1ene, CO weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 4,672 ft (1,424 m)).
Frost dates near Gateway
- Paradox May 11 · Oct 5
- Glade Park Apr 26 · Oct 16
- Bedrock May 11 · Oct 5
- Grand Junction Apr 23 · Oct 20
- Fruita Apr 27 · Oct 11
- Nucla Apr 26 · Oct 18
- Whitewater Apr 23 · Oct 20
- Naturita Apr 26 · Oct 18
- Loma Apr 27 · Oct 11
- Clifton Apr 23 · Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Gateway, CO?
The median last spring frost in Gateway, CO is April 20. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 5, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Gateway, CO?
The median first fall frost is October 21, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 7.
How long is the growing season in Gateway, CO?
About 184 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Gateway, CO?
Gateway, CO is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.