Frost dates for 81601 — Glenwood Springs, CO
Last spring frostMay 13median date
First fall frostOct 3median date
Growing season143 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Glenwood Springs compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Glenwood Springs falls between April 30 and May 30, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 20 and October 15.
- The median last frost is 2 days later than the Colorado median of May 11.
- Its 143-day growing season is longer than 46% of the 374 Colorado places with a regular frost season (state median 146 days).
- The last frost is 14 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 174 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Grand Junction, CO, 116 km away, the last frost here is 20 days later than there and the growing season is 37 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 30 |
| 50% (median) | May 13 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 30 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 20 |
| 50% (median) | October 3 |
| 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 Glenwood Springs, CO
Frost dates for 81601 — Glenwood Springs, CO — last frost May 13, first frost Oct 3, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 10
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 10
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Jun 27 to Jul 18
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Jun 27 to Jul 18
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Jun 27 to Jul 18
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Transplant outside: Jun 3 to Jun 17Sow outdoors: Jun 3 to Jun 17
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Apr 15 to Apr 22Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 3Sow outdoors: May 20 to Jun 3Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Apr 15 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: May 20 to Jun 3Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Apr 15 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Apr 15 to Apr 22Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 20Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Jul 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 20Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 27Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: May 20 to Jun 10Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: May 20 to Jun 3
Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 17
Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 24
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Glenwood Springs, CO
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 27 – Jun 10 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 27 – Jun 10 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Apr 22 – May 6 | Apr 15 – May 20 | Aug 8 – Sep 5 |
| Kale | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Broccoli | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | Jun 27 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | Jun 27 – Jul 18 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | Jun 27 – Jul 18 |
| Okra | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | — |
| Basil | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 8 – May 20 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 15 – Apr 22 | May 27 – Jun 3 | May 20 – Jun 3 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 15 – Apr 22 | — | May 20 – Jun 3 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 15 – Apr 22 | — | May 20 – Jun 3 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 15 – Apr 22 | May 27 – Jun 10 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 22 – May 20 | Jul 11 – Jul 25 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 22 – May 20 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 22 – May 13 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 29 – May 27 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 29 – May 20 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 20 – Jun 10 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 20 – Jun 3 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 27 – Jun 17 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 19 – Oct 24 |
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 Glenwood Spgs #2, CO weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 5,896 ft (1,797 m)).
ZIP codes in Glenwood Springs: 81601 81602
Frost dates near Glenwood Springs
- New Castle May 23 · Sep 25
- Silt May 11 · Oct 4
- Carbondale May 31 · Sep 23
- Gypsum May 1 · Oct 14
- Basalt May 31 · Sep 23
- Rifle May 23 · Sep 25
- Snowmass May 31 · Sep 23
- Woody Creek May 31 · Sep 23
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Glenwood Springs, CO?
The median last spring frost in Glenwood Springs, CO is May 13. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 30, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Glenwood Springs, CO?
The median first fall frost is October 3, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 20.
How long is the growing season in Glenwood Springs, CO?
About 143 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Glenwood Springs, CO?
Glenwood Springs, CO is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.