Watkins, CO frost dates
Last spring frostMay 5median date
First fall frostOct 9median date
Growing season157 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Watkins compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Watkins falls between April 23 and May 19, a 26-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 27 and October 20.
- The median last frost is 6 days earlier than the Colorado median of May 11.
- Its 157-day growing season is longer than 69% of the 374 Colorado places with a regular frost season (state median 146 days).
- The last frost is 6 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 156 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Aurora, CO, 20 km away, the last frost here is 2 days earlier than there and the growing season is 3 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 23 |
| 50% (median) | May 5 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 19 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 27 |
| 50% (median) | October 9 |
| 90% (late) | October 20 |
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 Watkins, CO
Watkins, CO frost dates — last frost May 5, first frost Oct 9, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 24
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 24
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 24
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9Sow outdoors: May 26 to Jun 9
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 14Transplant outside: May 19 to May 26Sow outdoors: May 12 to May 26Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: May 12 to May 26Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 14Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 12Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 12Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 19Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: May 12 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: May 12 to May 26
Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 9
Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 30
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Watkins, CO
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Apr 7 – May 12 | Aug 14 – Sep 11 |
| Kale | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Broccoli | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | Jul 3 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | Jul 3 – Jul 24 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | Jul 3 – Jul 24 |
| Okra | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | May 26 – Jun 9 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — |
| Basil | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 14 | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 14 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 31 – May 12 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | May 19 – May 26 | May 12 – May 26 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | — | May 12 – May 26 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | — | May 12 – May 26 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 14 – May 12 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 14 – May 12 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 21 – May 12 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 12 – Jun 2 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 12 – May 26 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 19 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 25 – Oct 30 |
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 Denver Intl Ap, CO weather station, 10 km away (elevation 5,413 ft (1,650 m)).
Frost dates near Watkins
- Bennett May 5 · Oct 9
- Aurora (Arapahoe) May 5 · Oct 9
- Aurora May 7 · Oct 8
- Strasburg May 13 · Oct 2
- Henderson May 3 · Oct 7
- Brighton May 3 · Oct 7
- Commerce City May 4 · Oct 8
- Dupont May 4 · Oct 8
- Byers May 13 · Oct 2
- Hudson May 3 · Oct 7
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Watkins, CO?
The median last spring frost in Watkins, CO is May 5. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 19, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Watkins, CO?
The median first fall frost is October 9, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 27.
How long is the growing season in Watkins, CO?
About 157 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Watkins, CO?
Watkins, CO is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.