Frost dates for 81302 — Durango, CO
Last spring frostMay 21median date
First fall frostOct 2median date
Growing season134 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Durango compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Durango falls between May 7 and June 7, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 19 and October 15.
- The median last frost is 10 days later than the Colorado median of May 11.
- Its 134-day growing season is longer than 36% of the 374 Colorado places with a regular frost season (state median 146 days).
- The last frost is 29 days later than the zone 6b median of Apr 22. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 180 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 7 |
| 50% (median) | May 21 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 7 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 19 |
| 50% (median) | October 2 |
| 90% (late) | October 15 |
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 Durango, CO
Frost dates for 81302 — Durango, CO — last frost May 21, first frost Oct 2, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Jun 4 to Jun 18
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Jun 4 to Jun 18
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 28 to Jun 11
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 28Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 7Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21Plant for fall: Jun 26 to Jul 17
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Jun 26 to Jul 17
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21Plant for fall: Jun 26 to Jul 17
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23Transplant outside: Jun 11 to Jun 25Sow outdoors: Jun 11 to Jun 25
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23Transplant outside: May 28 to Jun 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 28Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Apr 23 to Apr 30Transplant outside: Jun 4 to Jun 11Sow outdoors: May 28 to Jun 11Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Apr 23 to Apr 30Sow outdoors: May 28 to Jun 11Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Apr 23 to Apr 30Sow outdoors: May 28 to Jun 11
Start indoors: Apr 23 to Apr 30Transplant outside: Jun 4 to Jun 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 28Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 28Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 21
Sow outdoors: May 7 to Jun 4Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 28Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: May 28 to Jun 18Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: May 28 to Jun 11
Transplant outside: Jun 4 to Jun 25
Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 23
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Durango, CO
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Jun 4 – Jun 18 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Jun 4 – Jun 18 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | May 28 – Jun 11 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Apr 30 – May 14 | Apr 23 – May 28 | Aug 7 – Sep 4 |
| Kale | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Apr 23 – May 7 | Apr 23 – May 7 | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Broccoli | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | May 7 – May 21 | — | Jun 26 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | Jun 26 – Jul 17 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | May 7 – May 21 | — | Jun 26 – Jul 17 |
| Okra | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Jun 11 – Jun 25 | Jun 11 – Jun 25 | — |
| Basil | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | May 28 – Jun 11 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 16 – May 28 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 23 – Apr 30 | Jun 4 – Jun 11 | May 28 – Jun 11 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 23 – Apr 30 | — | May 28 – Jun 11 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 23 – Apr 30 | — | May 28 – Jun 11 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 23 – Apr 30 | Jun 4 – Jun 18 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 30 – May 28 | Jul 10 – Jul 24 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 30 – May 28 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 30 – May 21 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 7 – Jun 4 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 7 – May 28 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 28 – Jun 18 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 28 – Jun 11 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 4 – Jun 25 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 18 – Oct 23 |
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 Durango, CO weather station, 3 km away (elevation 6,762 ft (2,061 m)).
ZIP codes in Durango: 81301 81302 81303
Frost dates near Durango
- Bayfield May 31 · Sep 26
- Hesperus Jun 1 · Sep 27
- Ignacio May 23 · Sep 29
- Marvel Jun 1 · Sep 27
- Mancos Jun 4 · Sep 24
- Rico frost any month
- Arboles May 23 · Sep 29
- Mesa Verde National Park May 6 · Oct 14
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Durango, CO?
The median last spring frost in Durango, CO is May 21. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 7, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Durango, CO?
The median first fall frost is October 2, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 19.
How long is the growing season in Durango, CO?
About 134 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Durango, CO?
Durango, CO is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.