Frost dates for 81038 — Fort Lyon, CO
Last spring frostApr 24median date
First fall frostOct 15median date
Growing season174 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Fort Lyon compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Fort Lyon falls between April 9 and May 8, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 2 and October 26.
- The median last frost is 17 days earlier than the Colorado median of May 11.
- Its 174-day growing season is among the longest of the 374 Colorado places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is 5 days earlier 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 153 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 9 |
| 50% (median) | April 24 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 8 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 2 |
| 50% (median) | October 15 |
| 90% (late) | October 26 |
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 Fort Lyon, CO
Frost dates for 81038 — Fort Lyon, CO — last frost Apr 24, first frost Oct 15, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to May 1Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 8 to May 15Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15
Transplant outside: May 8 to May 29
Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Nov 5
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Fort Lyon, CO
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Mar 27 – May 1 | Aug 20 – Sep 17 |
| Kale | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Broccoli | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Okra | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 15 – May 29 | May 15 – May 29 | — |
| Basil | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 3 | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 3 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 20 – May 1 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 15 | May 1 – May 15 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | — | May 1 – May 15 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | — | May 1 – May 15 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 3 – May 1 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 3 – May 1 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 1 – May 22 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 1 – May 15 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 8 – May 29 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 1 – Nov 5 |
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 John Martin Dam, CO weather station, 17 km away (elevation 3,816 ft (1,163 m)).
Frost dates near Fort Lyon
- Las Animas Apr 29 · Oct 12
- Hasty Apr 24 · Oct 15
- Mc Clave Apr 24 · Oct 15
- Wiley May 2 · Oct 7
- Cheraw Apr 30 · Oct 10
- Lamar Apr 30 · Oct 10
- Swink May 1 · Oct 8
- La Junta May 1 · Oct 8
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Fort Lyon, CO?
The median last spring frost in Fort Lyon, CO is April 24. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 8, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Fort Lyon, CO?
The median first fall frost is October 15, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 2.
How long is the growing season in Fort Lyon, CO?
About 174 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Fort Lyon, CO?
Fort Lyon, CO is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.