Lake City, CO frost dates
Last spring frostJun 8median date
First fall frostSep 17median date
Growing season101 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Lake City compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Lake City falls between May 26 and June 24, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 6 and September 27.
- The median last frost is 28 days later than the Colorado median of May 11.
- Its 101-day growing season is longer than 13% of the 374 Colorado places with a regular frost season (state median 146 days).
- The last frost is 36 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 224 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 26 |
| 50% (median) | June 8 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 24 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 6 |
| 50% (median) | September 17 |
| 90% (late) | September 27 |
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 Lake City, CO
Lake City, CO frost dates — last frost Jun 8, first frost Sep 17, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Transplant outside: Jun 22 to Jul 6
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Transplant outside: Jun 22 to Jul 6
Start indoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27Transplant outside: Jun 15 to Jun 29
Start indoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1Sow outdoors: May 11 to Jun 15Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 8
Start indoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 8
Start indoors: Apr 27 to May 11Transplant outside: Jun 29 to Jul 13Sow outdoors: Jun 29 to Jul 13
Start indoors: Apr 27 to May 11Transplant outside: Jun 15 to Jun 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 18Plant for fall: Jun 25 to Jul 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 18Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: May 4 to Jun 15Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: May 11 to May 18Transplant outside: Jun 22 to Jun 29Sow outdoors: Jun 15 to Jun 29
Start indoors: May 11 to May 18Sow outdoors: Jun 15 to Jun 29
Start indoors: May 11 to May 18Sow outdoors: Jun 15 to Jun 29
Start indoors: May 11 to May 18Transplant outside: Jun 22 to Jul 6
Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 15
Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 15Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 23
Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 8
Sow outdoors: May 25 to Jun 22Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 23
Sow outdoors: May 25 to Jun 15Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Jun 15 to Jul 6
Sow outdoors: Jun 15 to Jun 29
Transplant outside: Jun 22 to Jul 13
Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Oct 8
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Lake City, CO
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Jun 22 – Jul 6 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Jun 22 – Jul 6 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Jun 15 – Jun 29 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | May 18 – Jun 1 | May 11 – Jun 15 | Jul 23 – Aug 20 |
| Kale | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | May 11 – May 25 | May 11 – May 25 | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Broccoli | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | May 25 – Jun 8 | — | — |
| Cabbage | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | May 25 – Jun 8 | — | — |
| Okra | Apr 27 – May 11 | Jun 29 – Jul 13 | Jun 29 – Jul 13 | — |
| Basil | Apr 27 – May 11 | Jun 15 – Jun 29 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 27 – May 18 | Jun 25 – Jul 16 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 27 – May 18 | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Radishes | — | — | May 4 – Jun 15 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Cucumbers | May 11 – May 18 | Jun 22 – Jun 29 | Jun 15 – Jun 29 | — |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | May 11 – May 18 | — | Jun 15 – Jun 29 | — |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins Warning: Your frost-free season is about 101 days, which is tight for winter squash & pumpkins (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | May 11 – May 18 | — | Jun 15 – Jun 29 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | May 11 – May 18 | Jun 22 – Jul 6 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 18 – Jun 15 | — |
| Beets | — | — | May 18 – Jun 15 | Jul 9 – Jul 23 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 18 – Jun 8 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 25 – Jun 22 | Jul 9 – Jul 23 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 25 – Jun 15 | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Jun 15 – Jul 6 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Jun 15 – Jun 29 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes Warning: Your frost-free season is about 101 days, which is tight for sweet potatoes (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | — | Jun 22 – Jul 13 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 3 – Oct 8 |
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 Lake City, CO weather station, 4 km away (elevation 8,668 ft (2,642 m)).
Frost dates near Lake City
- Ouray May 18 · Oct 4
- Powderhorn Jun 9 · Sep 16
- Silverton frost any month
- Creede frost any month
- Ridgway Jun 11 · Sep 13
- Telluride frost any month
- Cimarron Jun 20 · Sep 10
- Ophir frost any month
- Placerville May 26 · Sep 29
- South Fork May 23 · Sep 25
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Lake City, CO?
The median last spring frost in Lake City, CO is June 8. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 24, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Lake City, CO?
The median first fall frost is September 17, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 6.
How long is the growing season in Lake City, CO?
About 101 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Lake City, CO?
Lake City, CO is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.