Leadville, CO frost dates

Gardening where frost is possible all year

The weather station nearest Leadville, CO records freezing temperatures in every month often enough that NOAA cannot define a frost-free season. Gardening is still possible — it just means planning for frost at any time:

• Grow fast, cold-tolerant crops: Radishes, Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Peas, Potatoes, Swiss Chard, Garlic.
• Plant once the soil can be worked — usually late spring to early summer at high elevation — and keep row covers ready for clear, still nights.
• Use season extension: cold frames, low tunnels, wall-of-water cloches or a greenhouse turn a few frost-free weeks into a real season.
• Frost-tender crops (tomatoes, squash, beans) need protection all season; choose the earliest varieties you can find.

About these dates

Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Leadville Lake Co Ap, CO weather station, 3 km away (elevation 9,931 ft (3,027 m)).

Frost dates near Leadville

• Climax frost any month
• Twin Lakes Jun 16 · Sep 10
• Alma Jun 16 · Sep 9
• Granite Jun 16 · Sep 10
• Fairplay Jun 16 · Sep 9
• Red Cliff Jun 21 · Sep 7
• Meredith frost any month
• Breckenridge frost any month
• Frisco frost any month
• Minturn Jun 21 · Sep 7

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Leadville, CO?

Leadville, CO can freeze in any month, so there is no reliable last frost date. The nearest NOAA station averages 272 nights a year at or below 32°F.

What can I grow in Leadville, CO?

Fast, cold-tolerant crops such as radishes, lettuce, spinach, kale, peas and potatoes, ideally under row covers, cold frames or a greenhouse. Frost-tender crops like tomatoes need protection all season.