Frost dates for 81303 — Durango, CO
Last spring frostJun 1median date
First fall frostSep 27median date
Growing season118 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Durango compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Durango falls between May 17 and June 15, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 15 and October 9.
- The median last frost is 21 days later than the Colorado median of May 11.
- Its 118-day growing season is longer than 27% of the 374 Colorado places with a regular frost season (state median 146 days).
- The last frost is 40 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 202 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 17 |
| 50% (median) | June 1 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 15 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 15 |
| 50% (median) | September 27 |
| 90% (late) | October 9 |
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 81303 — Durango, CO — last frost Jun 1, first frost Sep 27, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: Jun 15 to Jun 29
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: Jun 15 to Jun 29
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Transplant outside: Jun 8 to Jun 22
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25Sow outdoors: May 4 to Jun 8Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Jun 21 to Jul 12
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25Plant for fall: Jun 21 to Jul 12
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Jun 21 to Jul 12
Start indoors: Apr 20 to May 4Transplant outside: Jun 22 to Jul 6Sow outdoors: Jun 22 to Jul 6
Start indoors: Apr 20 to May 4Transplant outside: Jun 8 to Jun 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 11Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to Jun 8Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Start indoors: May 4 to May 11Transplant outside: Jun 15 to Jun 22Sow outdoors: Jun 8 to Jun 22Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Jul 26
Start indoors: May 4 to May 11Sow outdoors: Jun 8 to Jun 22Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Start indoors: May 4 to May 11Sow outdoors: Jun 8 to Jun 22
Start indoors: May 4 to May 11Transplant outside: Jun 15 to Jun 29
Sow outdoors: May 11 to Jun 8Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 19
Sow outdoors: May 11 to Jun 8Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: May 11 to Jun 1
Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 15Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 8Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Jun 8 to Jun 29
Sow outdoors: Jun 8 to Jun 22
Transplant outside: Jun 15 to Jul 6
Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 18
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Durango, CO
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | May 4 – May 18 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Jun 15 – Jun 29 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Jun 15 – Jun 29 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | May 11 – May 25 | May 4 – Jun 8 | Aug 2 – Aug 30 |
| Kale | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | May 4 – May 18 | May 4 – May 18 | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Broccoli | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | Jun 21 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | May 11 – May 25 | — | Jun 21 – Jul 12 |
| Cauliflower | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | Jun 21 – Jul 12 |
| Okra | Apr 20 – May 4 | Jun 22 – Jul 6 | Jun 22 – Jul 6 | — |
| Basil | Apr 20 – May 4 | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 20 – May 11 | Jul 5 – Jul 26 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 20 – May 11 | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 27 – Jun 8 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Cucumbers | May 4 – May 11 | Jun 15 – Jun 22 | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | Jul 12 – Jul 26 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | May 4 – May 11 | — | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | May 4 – May 11 | — | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | May 4 – May 11 | Jun 15 – Jun 29 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 11 – Jun 8 | Jul 5 – Jul 19 |
| Beets | — | — | May 11 – Jun 8 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 11 – Jun 1 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 18 – Jun 15 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 18 – Jun 8 | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Jun 8 – Jun 29 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 15 – Jul 6 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 13 – Oct 18 |
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 La Plata Co Ap, CO weather station, 12 km away (elevation 6,660 ft (2,030 m)).
ZIP codes in Durango: 81301 81302 81303
Frost dates near Durango
- Marvel Jun 1 · Sep 27
- Hesperus Jun 1 · Sep 27
- Ignacio May 23 · Sep 29
- Bayfield May 31 · Sep 26
- Arboles May 23 · Sep 29
- Mancos Jun 4 · Sep 24
- Mesa Verde National Park May 6 · Oct 14
- Dolores May 12 · Oct 7
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Durango, CO?
The median last spring frost in Durango, CO is June 1. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 15, 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 September 27, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 15.
How long is the growing season in Durango, CO?
About 118 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.