Frost dates for 80002Arvada, CO
The average last spring frost in Arvada is May 5 and the average first fall frost is October 5, giving a typical growing season of about 151 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 5
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 5
- Growing season
- 151 days
Safer after May 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 190 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | May 5 · May 16 · May 31 | Sep 13 · Sep 26 · Oct 7 | 131 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 24 · May 5 · May 18 | Sep 20 · Oct 5 · Oct 18 | 151 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 11 · Apr 25 · May 9 | Sep 28 · Oct 14 · Oct 26 | 170 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Arvada
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Apr 4 – Jun 10 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 21 – Jun 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 21 – May 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 20 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Jun 4 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 20 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jun 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 26 – Jun 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Jun 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jun 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 26 – Jul 11 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 25 – Oct 26 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 80002 is matched to the NOAA station Wheat Ridge 2, CO, 2.7 km away, at 5,398 ft elevation (21 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheat Ridge 2, CO (used) | 5,398 ft | May 5 | Oct 5 |
| Lakewood, CO | 5,640 ft | May 3 | Oct 7 |
| Denver Water Dept, CO | 5,228 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 12 |
| Ralston Rsvr, CO | 5,900 ft | May 3 | Oct 14 |
Frost dates near Arvada
- Arvada, CO 80001 · last May 5, first Oct 5
- Wheat Ridge, CO 80033 · last May 5, first Oct 5
- Denver, CO 80212 · last May 5, first Oct 5
- Westminster, CO 80030 · last May 2, first Oct 11
- Broomfield, CO 80021 · last May 2, first Oct 11
- Golden, CO 80401 · last May 3, first Oct 14
- Thornton, CO 80241 · last May 2, first Oct 11
- Commerce City, CO 80037 · last May 4, first Oct 8
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Arvada, CO?
- For ZIP code 80002, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Wheat Ridge 2, CO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 18.
- When is the first frost in Arvada, CO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 5. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 20, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 80002?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 151 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.