Howard, CO frost dates
Last spring frostMay 29median date
First fall frostSep 20median date
Growing season114 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Howard compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Howard falls between May 15 and June 12, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 8 and September 30.
- The median last frost is 18 days later than the Colorado median of May 11.
- Its 114-day growing season is longer than 21% of the 374 Colorado places with a regular frost season (state median 146 days).
- The last frost is 28 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 201 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Colorado Springs, CO, 100 km away, the last frost here is 26 days later than there and the growing season is 44 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 15 |
| 50% (median) | May 29 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 12 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 8 |
| 50% (median) | September 20 |
| 90% (late) | September 30 |
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 Howard, CO
Howard, CO frost dates — last frost May 29, first frost Sep 20, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: Jun 12 to Jun 26
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: Jun 12 to Jun 26
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Transplant outside: Jun 5 to Jun 19
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22Sow outdoors: May 1 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29Plant for fall: Jun 14 to Jul 5
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Jun 14 to Jul 5
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29Plant for fall: Jun 14 to Jul 5
Start indoors: Apr 17 to May 1Transplant outside: Jun 19 to Jul 3Sow outdoors: Jun 19 to Jul 3
Start indoors: Apr 17 to May 1Transplant outside: Jun 5 to Jun 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 8Plant for fall: Jun 28 to Jul 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 8Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: May 1 to May 8Transplant outside: Jun 12 to Jun 19Sow outdoors: Jun 5 to Jun 19Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 19
Start indoors: May 1 to May 8Sow outdoors: Jun 5 to Jun 19Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Jul 26
Start indoors: May 1 to May 8Sow outdoors: Jun 5 to Jun 19
Start indoors: May 1 to May 8Transplant outside: Jun 12 to Jun 26
Sow outdoors: May 8 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Jun 28 to Jul 12
Sow outdoors: May 8 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Jul 26
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 29
Sow outdoors: May 15 to Jun 12Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Jul 26
Sow outdoors: May 15 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Jun 5 to Jun 26
Sow outdoors: Jun 5 to Jun 19
Transplant outside: Jun 12 to Jul 3
Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Oct 11
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Howard, CO
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Jun 12 – Jun 26 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Jun 12 – Jun 26 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | May 8 – May 22 | May 1 – Jun 5 | Jul 26 – Aug 23 |
| Kale | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | May 1 – May 15 | May 1 – May 15 | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Broccoli | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | May 15 – May 29 | — | Jun 14 – Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | May 8 – May 22 | — | Jun 14 – Jul 5 |
| Cauliflower | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | May 15 – May 29 | — | Jun 14 – Jul 5 |
| Okra | Apr 17 – May 1 | Jun 19 – Jul 3 | Jun 19 – Jul 3 | — |
| Basil | Apr 17 – May 1 | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | Jun 28 – Jul 19 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 24 – Jun 5 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Cucumbers | May 1 – May 8 | Jun 12 – Jun 19 | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | Jul 5 – Jul 19 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | May 1 – May 8 | — | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | Jul 12 – Jul 26 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | May 1 – May 8 | — | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | May 1 – May 8 | Jun 12 – Jun 26 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 8 – Jun 5 | Jun 28 – Jul 12 |
| Beets | — | — | May 8 – Jun 5 | Jul 12 – Jul 26 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 8 – May 29 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 15 – Jun 12 | Jul 12 – Jul 26 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 15 – Jun 5 | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Jun 5 – Jun 26 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 12 – Jul 3 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 6 – Oct 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 Salida, CO weather station, 25 km away (elevation 7,159 ft (2,182 m)).
Frost dates near Howard
- Coaldale May 29 · Sep 20
- Cotopaxi Jun 11 · Sep 9
- Hillside Jun 11 · Sep 9
- Salida May 29 · Sep 20
- Poncha Springs May 29 · Sep 20
- Villa Grove May 16 · Sep 28
- Canon City May 4 · Oct 7
- Moffat May 26 · Sep 26
- Westcliffe Jun 11 · Sep 9
- Nathrop May 27 · Sep 23
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Howard, CO?
The median last spring frost in Howard, CO is May 29. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 12, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Howard, CO?
The median first fall frost is September 20, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 8.
How long is the growing season in Howard, CO?
About 114 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Howard, CO?
Howard, CO is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.