Mesa Verde National Park, CO frost dates
Last spring frostMay 6median date
First fall frostOct 14median date
Growing season161 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Mesa Verde National Park compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Mesa Verde National Park falls between April 22 and May 27, a 35-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 30 and November 2.
- The median last frost is 5 days earlier than the Colorado median of May 11.
- Its 161-day growing season is longer than 85% of the 374 Colorado places with a regular frost season (state median 146 days).
- The last frost is 20 days later than the zone 7a median of Apr 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 141 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 22 |
| 50% (median) | May 6 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 27 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 30 |
| 50% (median) | October 14 |
| 90% (late) | November 2 |
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 Mesa Verde National Park, CO
Mesa Verde National Park, CO frost dates — last frost May 6, first frost Oct 14, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 10Sow outdoors: May 27 to Jun 10
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to May 13Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Transplant outside: May 20 to May 27Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 13Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: May 13 to Jun 3Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27
Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 10
Plant for fall: Sep 30 to Nov 4
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Mesa Verde National Park, CO
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Apr 8 – May 13 | Aug 19 – Sep 16 |
| Kale | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Broccoli | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Okra | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | May 27 – Jun 10 | May 27 – Jun 10 | — |
| Basil | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 1 – May 13 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | May 20 – May 27 | May 13 – May 27 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | — | May 13 – May 27 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | — | May 13 – May 27 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 15 – May 13 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 15 – May 13 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 22 – May 20 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 22 – May 13 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 13 – Jun 3 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 13 – May 27 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 20 – Jun 10 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 30 – Nov 4 |
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 Cortez 8 Se, CO weather station, 3 km away (elevation 8,035 ft (2,449 m)).
Frost dates near Mesa Verde National Park
- Cortez May 12 · Oct 7
- Mancos Jun 4 · Sep 24
- Towaoc May 27 · Sep 28
- Dolores May 12 · Oct 7
- Hesperus Jun 1 · Sep 27
- Marvel Jun 1 · Sep 27
- Lewis May 15 · Oct 8
- Yellow Jacket May 17 · Oct 9
- Pleasant View May 17 · Oct 9
- Durango May 21 · Oct 2
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Mesa Verde National Park, CO?
The median last spring frost in Mesa Verde National Park, CO is May 6. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 27, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Mesa Verde National Park, CO?
The median first fall frost is October 14, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 30.
How long is the growing season in Mesa Verde National Park, CO?
About 161 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Mesa Verde National Park, CO?
Mesa Verde National Park, CO is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.