Frost dates for 80016 — Aurora, CO
Last spring frostMay 7median date
First fall frostOct 8median date
Growing season154 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Aurora compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Aurora falls between April 26 and May 21, a 25-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 25 and October 19.
- The median last frost is 4 days earlier than the Colorado median of May 11.
- Its 154-day growing season is longer than 63% of the 374 Colorado places with a regular frost season (state median 146 days).
- The last frost is 8 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 172 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Denver, CO, 26 km away, the last frost here is 7 days later than there and the growing season is 11 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 26 |
| 50% (median) | May 7 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 21 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 25 |
| 50% (median) | October 8 |
| 90% (late) | October 19 |
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 Aurora, CO
Frost dates for 80016 — Aurora, CO — last frost May 7, first frost Oct 8, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 4
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 4
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7Plant for fall: Jul 2 to Jul 23
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 2 to Jul 23
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7Plant for fall: Jul 2 to Jul 23
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 28 to Jun 11Sow outdoors: May 28 to Jun 11
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 16Transplant outside: May 21 to May 28Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 16Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 14Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Jul 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 14Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 21Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: May 14 to Jun 4Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28
Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 11
Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 29
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Aurora, CO
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | May 21 – Jun 4 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | May 21 – Jun 4 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | Apr 9 – May 14 | Aug 13 – Sep 10 |
| Kale | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Broccoli | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | Jul 2 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | Jul 2 – Jul 23 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | Jul 2 – Jul 23 |
| Okra | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | May 28 – Jun 11 | May 28 – Jun 11 | — |
| Basil | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 16 | Jul 16 – Aug 6 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 16 | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 2 – May 14 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | May 21 – May 28 | May 14 – May 28 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | — | May 14 – May 28 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | — | May 14 – May 28 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | May 21 – Jun 4 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 16 – May 14 | Jul 16 – Jul 30 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 16 – May 14 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 16 – May 7 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 23 – May 21 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 23 – May 14 | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 14 – Jun 4 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 14 – May 28 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 21 – Jun 11 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 24 – Oct 29 |
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 Cherry Creek Dam, CO weather station, 8 km away (elevation 5,646 ft (1,721 m)).
ZIP codes in Aurora: 80010 80011 80012 80013 80014 80015 80016 80017 80018 80019 80040 80042 80045
Frost dates near Aurora
- Parker May 9 · Oct 3
- Lone Tree May 5 · Oct 8
- Englewood May 2 · Oct 11
- Watkins May 5 · Oct 9
- Littleton May 2 · Oct 11
- Franktown May 16 · Oct 2
- Castle Rock May 9 · Oct 2
- Denver Apr 30 · Oct 12
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Aurora, CO?
The median last spring frost in Aurora, CO is May 7. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 21, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Aurora, CO?
The median first fall frost is October 8, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 25.
How long is the growing season in Aurora, CO?
About 154 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Aurora, CO?
Aurora, CO is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.