Powderhorn, CO frost dates
Last spring frostJun 9median date
First fall frostSep 16median date
Growing season99 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Powderhorn compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Powderhorn falls between May 26 and June 24, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 3 and September 27.
- The median last frost is 29 days later than the Colorado median of May 11.
- Its 99-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 39 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 220 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 26 |
| 50% (median) | June 9 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 24 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 3 |
| 50% (median) | September 16 |
| 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 Powderhorn, CO
Powderhorn, CO frost dates — last frost Jun 9, first frost Sep 16, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Transplant outside: Jun 23 to Jul 7
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Transplant outside: Jun 23 to Jul 7
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Transplant outside: Jun 16 to Jun 30
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2Sow outdoors: May 12 to Jun 16Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26Sow outdoors: May 12 to May 26Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9
Start indoors: Apr 28 to May 12Transplant outside: Jun 30 to Jul 14Sow outdoors: Jun 30 to Jul 14
Start indoors: Apr 28 to May 12Transplant outside: Jun 16 to Jun 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 19Plant for fall: Jun 24 to Jul 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 19Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: May 5 to Jun 16Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Start indoors: May 12 to May 19Transplant outside: Jun 23 to Jun 30Sow outdoors: Jun 16 to Jun 30
Start indoors: May 12 to May 19Sow outdoors: Jun 16 to Jun 30
Start indoors: May 12 to May 19Sow outdoors: Jun 16 to Jun 30
Start indoors: May 12 to May 19Transplant outside: Jun 23 to Jul 7
Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 16
Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 16Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 22
Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 9
Sow outdoors: May 26 to Jun 23Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 22
Sow outdoors: May 26 to Jun 16Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Jun 16 to Jul 7
Sow outdoors: Jun 16 to Jun 30
Transplant outside: Jun 23 to Jul 14
Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Oct 7
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Powderhorn, CO
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Jun 23 – Jul 7 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Jun 23 – Jul 7 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Jun 16 – Jun 30 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | May 19 – Jun 2 | May 12 – Jun 16 | Jul 22 – Aug 19 |
| Kale | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | May 12 – May 26 | May 12 – May 26 | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Broccoli | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Cabbage | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Okra | Apr 28 – May 12 | Jun 30 – Jul 14 | Jun 30 – Jul 14 | — |
| Basil | Apr 28 – May 12 | Jun 16 – Jun 30 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 28 – May 19 | Jun 24 – Jul 15 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 28 – May 19 | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Radishes | — | — | May 5 – Jun 16 | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Cucumbers | May 12 – May 19 | Jun 23 – Jun 30 | Jun 16 – Jun 30 | — |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | May 12 – May 19 | — | Jun 16 – Jun 30 | — |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins Warning: Your frost-free season is about 99 days, which is tight for winter squash & pumpkins (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | May 12 – May 19 | — | Jun 16 – Jun 30 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | May 12 – May 19 | Jun 23 – Jul 7 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 19 – Jun 16 | — |
| Beets | — | — | May 19 – Jun 16 | Jul 8 – Jul 22 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 19 – Jun 9 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 26 – Jun 23 | Jul 8 – Jul 22 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 26 – Jun 16 | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Jun 16 – Jul 7 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Jun 16 – Jun 30 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes Warning: Your frost-free season is about 99 days, which is tight for sweet potatoes (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | — | Jun 23 – Jul 14 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 2 – Oct 7 |
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 Blue Mesa Lake, CO weather station, 21 km away (elevation 7,569 ft (2,307 m)).
Frost dates near Powderhorn
- Gunnison frost any month
- Cimarron Jun 20 · Sep 10
- Lake City Jun 8 · Sep 17
- Parlin Jun 21 · Sep 5
- Creede frost any month
- Ohio City Jun 21 · Sep 5
- Ouray May 18 · Oct 4
- Ridgway Jun 11 · Sep 13
- Sargents frost any month
- Crawford May 23 · Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Powderhorn, CO?
The median last spring frost in Powderhorn, CO is June 9. 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 Powderhorn, CO?
The median first fall frost is September 16, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 3.
How long is the growing season in Powderhorn, CO?
About 99 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Powderhorn, CO?
Powderhorn, CO is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.