Westcliffe, CO frost dates
Last spring frostJun 11median date
First fall frostSep 9median date
Growing season90 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Westcliffe compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Westcliffe falls between May 29 and June 28, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between August 28 and September 23.
- The median last frost is 31 days later than the Colorado median of May 11.
- Its 90-day growing season is longer than 9% of the 374 Colorado places with a regular frost season (state median 146 days).
- The last frost is 41 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 213 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Pueblo, CO, 73 km away, the last frost here is 42 days later than there and the growing season is 72 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 29 |
| 50% (median) | June 11 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 28 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | August 28 |
| 50% (median) | September 9 |
| 90% (late) | September 23 |
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 Westcliffe, CO
Westcliffe, CO frost dates — last frost Jun 11, first frost Sep 9, zone 5b. 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 15 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Apr 16 to Apr 30Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28Plant for fall: Jul 1 to Jul 22
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 15 to Aug 5
Sow outdoors: May 7 to Jun 18Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
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 18
Sow outdoors: May 21 to Jun 11
Sow outdoors: May 28 to Jun 25
Sow outdoors: May 28 to Jun 18Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
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 26 to Sep 30
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Westcliffe, 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 15 – Aug 12 |
| Kale | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | May 14 – May 28 | May 14 – May 28 | Jul 1 – Jul 22 |
| 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 15 – Aug 5 |
| Radishes | — | — | May 7 – Jun 18 | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| 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 90 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 90 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 | — |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 21 – Jun 11 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 28 – Jun 25 | — |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 28 – Jun 18 | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Jun 18 – Jul 9 | — |
| Sweet Corn Warning: Your frost-free season is about 90 days, which is tight for sweet corn (80+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | — | — | Jun 18 – Jul 2 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes Warning: Your frost-free season is about 90 days, which is tight for sweet potatoes (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | — | Jun 25 – Jul 16 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Aug 26 – Sep 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 Westcliffe, CO weather station, 3 km away (elevation 7,874 ft (2,400 m)).
Frost dates near Westcliffe
- Hillside Jun 11 · Sep 9
- Wetmore Jun 11 · Sep 9
- Crestone May 26 · Sep 26
- Cotopaxi Jun 11 · Sep 9
- Rockvale May 4 · Oct 7
- Coal Creek May 4 · Oct 7
- Moffat May 26 · Sep 26
- Canon City May 4 · Oct 7
- Florence May 4 · Oct 7
- Beulah May 5 · Oct 10
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Westcliffe, CO?
The median last spring frost in Westcliffe, CO is June 11. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 28, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Westcliffe, CO?
The median first fall frost is September 9, with about a 10% chance of frost before August 28.
How long is the growing season in Westcliffe, CO?
About 90 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Westcliffe, CO?
Westcliffe, CO is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.