Frost dates for 81505 — Grand Junction, CO
Last spring frostApr 28median date
First fall frostOct 16median date
Growing season171 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Grand Junction compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Grand Junction falls between April 11 and May 14, a 33-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 3 and October 29.
- The median last frost is 13 days earlier than the Colorado median of May 11.
- Its 171-day growing season is longer than 97% of the 374 Colorado places with a regular frost season (state median 146 days).
- The last frost is 6 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 137 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 11 |
| 50% (median) | April 28 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 14 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 3 |
| 50% (median) | October 16 |
| 90% (late) | October 29 |
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 Grand Junction, CO
Frost dates for 81505 — Grand Junction, CO — last frost Apr 28, first frost Oct 16, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to May 5Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 12 to May 19Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 5Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 26Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19
Transplant outside: May 12 to Jun 2
Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Nov 6
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Grand Junction, CO
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Mar 31 – May 5 | Aug 21 – Sep 18 |
| Kale | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Broccoli | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Okra | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | May 19 – Jun 2 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — |
| Basil | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 24 – May 5 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | May 12 – May 19 | May 5 – May 19 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | — | May 5 – May 19 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | — | May 5 – May 19 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 14 – May 12 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 5 – May 26 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 5 – May 19 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 12 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 2 – Nov 6 |
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 Grand Junction Walker Fld, CO weather station, 6 km away (elevation 4,859 ft (1,481 m)).
ZIP codes in Grand Junction: 81501 81502 81503 81504 81505 81506 81507
Frost dates near Grand Junction
- Fruita Apr 27 · Oct 11
- Clifton Apr 23 · Oct 20
- Palisade Apr 17 · Oct 26
- Glade Park Apr 26 · Oct 16
- Whitewater Apr 23 · Oct 20
- Loma Apr 27 · Oct 11
- Mack Apr 27 · Oct 11
- De Beque May 17 · Sep 30
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Grand Junction, CO?
The median last spring frost in Grand Junction, CO is April 28. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 14, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Grand Junction, CO?
The median first fall frost is October 16, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 3.
How long is the growing season in Grand Junction, CO?
About 171 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Grand Junction, CO?
Grand Junction, CO is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.