Ridgway, CO frost dates
Last spring frostJun 11median date
First fall frostSep 13median date
Growing season94 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Ridgway compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Ridgway falls between May 27 and June 30, a 34-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 1 and September 25.
- The median last frost is 31 days later than the Colorado median of May 11.
- Its 94-day growing season is longer than 11% of the 374 Colorado places with a regular frost season (state median 146 days).
- The last frost is 43 days later than the zone 6a median of Apr 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 223 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 27 |
| 50% (median) | June 11 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 30 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 1 |
| 50% (median) | September 13 |
| 90% (late) | September 25 |
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 Ridgway, CO
Ridgway, CO frost dates — last frost Jun 11, first frost Sep 13, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16Transplant outside: Jun 25 to Jul 9
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16Transplant outside: Jun 25 to Jul 9
Start indoors: Apr 16 to Apr 30Transplant outside: Jun 18 to Jul 2
Start indoors: Apr 16 to Apr 30Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 4Sow outdoors: May 14 to Jun 18Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Apr 16 to Apr 30Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 26
Start indoors: Apr 16 to Apr 30Transplant outside: May 28 to Jun 11
Start indoors: Apr 16 to Apr 30Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 4
Start indoors: Apr 16 to Apr 30Transplant outside: May 28 to Jun 11
Start indoors: Apr 30 to May 14Transplant outside: Jul 2 to Jul 16Sow outdoors: Jul 2 to Jul 16
Start indoors: Apr 30 to May 14Transplant outside: Jun 18 to Jul 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 21Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: May 7 to Jun 18Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Start indoors: May 14 to May 21Transplant outside: Jun 25 to Jul 2Sow outdoors: Jun 18 to Jul 2
Start indoors: May 14 to May 21Sow outdoors: Jun 18 to Jul 2
Start indoors: May 14 to May 21Sow outdoors: Jun 18 to Jul 2
Start indoors: May 14 to May 21Transplant outside: Jun 25 to Jul 9
Sow outdoors: May 21 to Jun 18
Sow outdoors: May 21 to Jun 18Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 19
Sow outdoors: May 21 to Jun 11
Sow outdoors: May 28 to Jun 25
Sow outdoors: May 28 to Jun 18Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: Jun 18 to Jul 9
Sow outdoors: Jun 18 to Jul 2
Transplant outside: Jun 25 to Jul 16
Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Oct 4
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Ridgway, CO
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Peppers | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Jun 25 – Jul 9 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Jun 25 – Jul 9 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | Jun 18 – Jul 2 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | May 21 – Jun 4 | May 14 – Jun 18 | Jul 19 – Aug 16 |
| Kale | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | May 14 – May 28 | May 14 – May 28 | Jul 5 – Jul 26 |
| Broccoli | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | May 28 – Jun 11 | — | — |
| Cabbage | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | May 21 – Jun 4 | — | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | May 28 – Jun 11 | — | — |
| Okra | Apr 30 – May 14 | Jul 2 – Jul 16 | Jul 2 – Jul 16 | — |
| Basil | Apr 30 – May 14 | Jun 18 – Jul 2 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 30 – May 21 | — |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 30 – May 21 | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Radishes | — | — | May 7 – Jun 18 | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Cucumbers | May 14 – May 21 | Jun 25 – Jul 2 | Jun 18 – Jul 2 | — |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | May 14 – May 21 | — | Jun 18 – Jul 2 | — |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins Warning: Your frost-free season is about 94 days, which is tight for winter squash & pumpkins (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | May 14 – May 21 | — | Jun 18 – Jul 2 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon Warning: Your frost-free season is about 94 days, which is tight for melons & watermelon (85+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | May 14 – May 21 | Jun 25 – Jul 9 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 21 – Jun 18 | — |
| Beets | — | — | May 21 – Jun 18 | Jul 5 – Jul 19 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 21 – Jun 11 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 28 – Jun 25 | — |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 28 – Jun 18 | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Jun 18 – Jul 9 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Jun 18 – Jul 2 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes Warning: Your frost-free season is about 94 days, which is tight for sweet potatoes (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | — | Jun 25 – Jul 16 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Aug 30 – Oct 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 Ridgway, CO weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 7,051 ft (2,149 m)).
Frost dates near Ridgway
- Ouray May 18 · Oct 4
- Telluride frost any month
- Placerville May 26 · Sep 29
- Ophir frost any month
- Montrose Apr 28 · Oct 14
- Cimarron Jun 20 · Sep 10
- Silverton frost any month
- Lake City Jun 8 · Sep 17
- Norwood May 21 · Oct 1
- Olathe May 2 · Oct 8
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Ridgway, CO?
The median last spring frost in Ridgway, CO is June 11. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 30, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Ridgway, CO?
The median first fall frost is September 13, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 1.
How long is the growing season in Ridgway, CO?
About 94 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Ridgway, CO?
Ridgway, CO is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.