Rico, CO frost dates

Gardening where frost is possible all year

The weather station nearest Rico, 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 Telluride 4wnw, CO weather station, 32 km away (elevation 8,645 ft (2,635 m)).

Frost dates near Rico

• Ophir frost any month
• Telluride frost any month
• Silverton frost any month
• Placerville May 26 · Sep 29
• Mancos Jun 4 · Sep 24
• Dolores May 12 · Oct 7
• Ouray May 18 · Oct 4
• Norwood May 21 · Oct 1
• Durango May 21 · Oct 2
• Ridgway Jun 11 · Sep 13

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Rico, CO?

Rico, CO can freeze in any month, so there is no reliable last frost date. The nearest NOAA station averages 249 nights a year at or below 32°F.

What can I grow in Rico, 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.