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Frost dates and planting calendar for Colorado Springs, Colorado
- USDA hardiness zone
- 6a[1]
- Median last spring frost
- May 3[2]
- Median first fall frost
- Oct 8[3]
- Growing season, median
- 158 days[4]
Colorado Springs sits in USDA zone 6a at the center of the city[1]. In half of years the last spring frost comes after May 3, the median date[2].
Frost dates
These frost dates come from NOAA records for the Colorado Springs Municipal Airport weather station, from 1991 to 2020[5]. They are odds, not a forecast. In 9 of 10 years the last spring frost comes after April 22, in half of years after May 3, and in 1 of 10 years after May 15[2]. In the fall, the first frost comes before September 26 in 1 of 10 years and before October 8 in half of years[3]. Tender and very tender vegetables do not tolerate frost[6].
| Frost | Likely (9 in 10 years) | Even odds (5 in 10) | Unlikely (1 in 10) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last spring frost (32°F)[2] | after April 22 | after May 3 | after May 15 |
| First fall frost (32°F)[3] | before September 26 | before October 8 | before October 19 |
- Hard freeze (28°F): median last spring date April 24, median first fall date October 16[8].
- Frost-free growing season: at least 140 days in 9 of 10 years, 158 days in half of years and 174 days in 1 of 10 years[4].
- The low reached 32°F or colder in 100% of years and 28°F or colder in 100% of years[9].
- Weather station: Colorado Springs Municipal Airport (USW00093037), 5.6 miles from the city center, 6,181 feet, 30 years of 1991 to 2020 records[5].
When to plant vegetables
Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide was written for Colorado. The dates below are a GardenFacts calculation that applies its rules to the NOAA median last frost, May 3[7]. Hardy vegetables like peas, lettuce and spinach can go in as early as April 5 to April 19 in Colorado Springs[7]. Semi-hardy vegetables like beets, carrots and potatoes can go in as early as April 19, up to the median last frost[10]. Tender vegetables like snap beans and sweet corn go in from seed around the median last frost date, May 3[11]. Very tender vegetables like tomatoes and peppers typically wait 2 or more weeks after the median last frost, so the earliest start is May 17[12].
- Hardy (broccoli, cabbage, kohlrabi, lettuce, onions, peas, radishes, spinach, turnips): as early as 2 to 4 weeks before the median last frost (May 3) is April 5 to April 19[7]
- Semi-hardy (beets, carrots, cauliflower, parsnips, potatoes, Swiss chard): as early as 2 weeks before the median last frost (May 3) is April 19, up to the median date itself[10]
- Tender (snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash): from seed around the median last frost date, May 3[11]
- Very tender (cantaloupe, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, winter squash, watermelon): the earliest start, two weeks after the median last frost (May 3), is May 17[12]
| Vegetable (CSU group) | Plant from | First harvest around |
|---|---|---|
| Broccoli (hardy)[13] | Apr 5 | Jun 9 (from transplants) |
| Cabbage (hardy)[13] | Apr 5 | Jun 29 (from transplants) |
| Kohlrabi (hardy)[13] | Apr 5 | May 25 |
| Lettuce (hardy)[13] | Apr 5 | Jun 4 |
| Onions (hardy)[13] | Apr 5 | Jul 24 |
| Peas (hardy)[13] | Apr 5 | Jun 9 |
| Radishes (hardy)[13] | Apr 5 | May 5 |
| Spinach (hardy)[13] | Apr 5 | May 15 |
| Turnips (hardy)[13] | Apr 5 | May 25 |
| Beets (semi-hardy)[13] | Apr 19 | Jun 18 |
| Carrots (semi-hardy)[13] | Apr 19 | Jun 28 |
| Cauliflower (semi-hardy)[13] | Apr 19 | not listed |
| Parsnips (semi-hardy)[13] | Apr 19 | Jun 28 |
| Potatoes (semi-hardy)[13] | Apr 19 | Aug 22 |
| Swiss chard (semi-hardy)[13] | Apr 19 | Jun 18 |
| Snap beans (tender)[13] | May 3 | Jul 2 |
| Sweet corn (tender)[13] | May 3 | Jul 2 |
| Cucumbers (tender)[13] | May 3 | Jun 27 |
| Summer squash (tender)[13] | May 3 | Jun 22 |
| Cantaloupe (very tender)[13] | May 17 | Aug 10 |
| Eggplant (very tender)[13] | May 17 | Jul 16 (from transplants) |
| Peppers (very tender)[13] | May 17 | Jul 26 (from transplants) |
| Tomatoes (very tender)[13] | May 17 | Jul 21 (from transplants) |
| Winter squash (very tender)[13] | May 17 | Aug 25 |
| Watermelon (very tender)[13] | May 17 | Aug 10 |
Spacing, depth and soil temperature (CSU Extension)
| Vegetable | Min. soil temp | Depth | Spacing | Days to harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broccoli[14] | 40°F | 1/2 in | 18 in | 65 |
| Cabbage[14] | 40°F | 1/2 in | 18 in | 85 |
| Kohlrabi[14] | 40°F | 1/2 in | 7-9 in | 50 |
| Lettuce[14] | 35°F | 1/4 in | 7-9 in | 60 |
| Onions[14] | 35°F | 1/4 in (seed), 1-2 in (sets) | 4-6 in | 110 |
| Peas[14] | 40°F | 1 in | 4-6 in | 65 |
| Radishes[14] | 40°F | 1/2 in | 2-3 in | 30 |
| Spinach[14] | 40°F | 1/2 in | 4-6 in | 40 |
| Turnips[14] | 40°F | 1/2 in | 4-6 in | 50 |
| Beets[14] | 40°F | 3/4-1 in | 4-6 in | 60 |
| Carrots[14] | 40°F | 1/4 in | 2-3 in | 70 |
| Cauliflower[14] | 40°F | 1/2 in | 18 in | – |
| Parsnips[14] | 35°F | 1/2 in | 5-6 in | 70 |
| Potatoes[14] | 45°F | – | – | 125 |
| Swiss chard[14] | 40°F | 1 in | 7-9 in | 60 |
| Snap beans[14] | 55°F | 1-1 1/2 in | 6 in | 60 |
| Sweet corn[14] | 50°F | 1-1 1/2 in | 12 x 30 in or 9 x 36 in | 60-90 |
| Cucumbers[14] | 60°F | 1 in | 6 in trellised, 24-36 in untrellised | 55 |
| Summer squash[14] | 60°F | 1-1 1/2 in | 36-48 in | 50 |
| Cantaloupe[14] | 60°F | 1-1 1/2 in | 36-48 in | 85 |
| Eggplant[14] | 60°F | 1/4 in | 18-24 in | 60 |
| Peppers[14] | 60°F | 1/4 in | 15-18 in | 70 |
| Tomatoes[14] | 50°F | 1/4 in | 24 in trellised | 65 |
| Winter squash[14] | 60°F | 1-1 1/2 in | 36-48 in | 100 |
| Watermelon[14] | 60°F | 1-1 1/2 in | 36-48 in | 85 |
Hardiness zone
The USDA zone is based on the average coldest winter night, not on summer heat or frost dates[15]. Zone 6a means an average annual extreme minimum of -10°F to -5°F[1]. The city spans more than one zone[16]. By land area, 74% lies in ZIP code areas rated zone 6a and 26% in areas rated zone 5b[16].
Zone 6a: average annual extreme minimum temperature -10°F to -5°F (1991 to 2020)[1]. Modeled value at the city center: -8.6°F[1].
Share of the city's land area by ZIP code zone: zone 6a 74%, zone 5b 26%[16].
All towns in zone 6a and what zone 6a means
Zone by ZIP code
| ZIP code | Zone | Coldest night range |
|---|---|---|
| 80916[16] | 6a | -10 to -5°F |
| 80906[16] | 6a | -10 to -5°F |
| 80925[16] | 6a | -10 to -5°F |
| 80919[16] | 5b | -15 to -10°F |
| 80918[16] | 6a | -10 to -5°F |
| 80920[16] | 5b | -15 to -10°F |
| 80904[16] | 6a | -10 to -5°F |
| 80907[16] | 6a | -10 to -5°F |
| 80909[16] | 6a | -10 to -5°F |
| 80929[16] | 6a | -10 to -5°F |
| 80921[16] | 5b | -15 to -10°F |
| 80831[16] | 5b | -15 to -10°F |
| 80910[16] | 6a | -10 to -5°F |
| 80923[16] | 6a | -10 to -5°F |
| 80924[16] | 5b | -15 to -10°F |
| 80917[16] | 6a | -10 to -5°F |
| 80903[16] | 6a | -10 to -5°F |
| 80938[16] | 6a | -10 to -5°F |
| 80905[16] | 6a | -10 to -5°F |
| 80922[16] | 6a | -10 to -5°F |
| 80908[16] | 5b | -15 to -10°F |
| 80915[16] | 6a | -10 to -5°F |
| 80927[16] | 5b | -15 to -10°F |
| 80951[16] | 6a | -10 to -5°F |
| 80926[16] | 6a | -10 to -5°F |
| 80914[16] | 6a | -10 to -5°F |
| 80829[16] | 5b | -15 to -10°F |
| 80911[16] | 6a | -10 to -5°F |
| 80939[16] | 6a | -10 to -5°F |
Questions people ask
- What growing zone is Colorado Springs?
- The 2023 USDA map puts the center of Colorado Springs in zone 6a[1]. About 26% of the city's land area lies in ZIP code areas rated zone 5b[16].
- When is the last frost in Colorado Springs?
- The median last spring frost is May 3[2]. In 1 of 10 years the last frost comes after May 15[2].
- When to plant tomatoes in Colorado Springs?
- CSU Extension says very tender vegetables like tomatoes typically go in 2 or more weeks after the average last frost[12]. By the GardenFacts calculation, two weeks after the median last frost (May 3), the earliest start in Colorado Springs is May 17[12].
Facts and sources
- The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map puts the center of Colorado Springs, Colorado in zone 6a. Zone 6a means an average annual extreme minimum temperature of -10°F to -5°F over 1991 to 2020. The map's modeled value at the city center is minus 8.6°F. USDA zone map 2023 (PRISM, OSU)
- Last spring frost (32°F) at this station: in 9 of 10 years the last frost comes after April 22, in half of years after May 3, and in 1 of 10 years after May 15 (NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals). The median last frost date is May 3. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
- First fall frost (32°F) at this station: in 1 of 10 years the first frost comes before September 26, in half of years before October 8, and in 9 of 10 years before October 19 (NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals). The median first frost date is October 8. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
- Growing season (days between the last spring and first fall 32°F frost) at this station: at least 140 days in 9 of 10 years, at least 158 days in half of years, and at least 174 days in 1 of 10 years. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
- Frost dates on this page come from NOAA climate normals for the Colorado Springs Municipal Airport weather station (USW00093037), 5.6 miles from the center of Colorado Springs at 6,181 feet, using 30 years of records from 1991 to 2020. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
- Tender and very tender vegetables do not tolerate frost (CSU Extension). In Colorado Springs the median first fall frost is October 8. CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
- Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups broccoli, cabbage, kohlrabi, lettuce, onions, peas, radishes, spinach, turnips as hardy vegetables, with this rule: as early as 2-4 weeks before the average last... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
- Hard freeze (28°F) at this station: the median last spring date is April 24 and the median first fall date is October 16. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
- At this station the low reached 32°F or colder in 100% of years from 1991 to 2020, and 28°F or colder in 100% of years. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
- Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups beets, carrots, cauliflower, parsnips, potatoes, Swiss chard as semi-hardy vegetables, with this rule: as early as 0-2 weeks before the average last spring frost.... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
- Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash as tender vegetables, with this rule: from seed around the average last spring frost; cucumber and summer squash... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
- Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups cantaloupe, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, winter squash, watermelon as very tender vegetables, with this rule: typically 2 or more weeks after the average last... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
- GardenFacts calculation: earliest planting date plus CSU days to harvest (table on this page), from the station's median last frost. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
- CSU Extension vegetable table: soil temperature, depth, spacing, days to harvest (table on this page). CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
- USDA hardiness zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature (the coldest night of each winter, averaged over 1991 to 2020 for the 2023 map), not on summer heat or frost dates. Each zone spans 10°F and each half zone (a or b)... USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
- Colorado Springs, Colorado overlaps 29 ZIP code areas. By land area, 74% lies in ZIP code areas rated zone 6a, 26% lies in ZIP code areas rated zone 5b. USDA zone map 2023 (PRISM, OSU)
Hardiness zone data: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), USDA Agricultural Research Service and PRISM Group, Oregon State University, prism.oregonstate.edu, accessed October 30, 2026. This is not the official USDA map. Frost data: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020. Planting rules: Colorado State University Extension.