Frost dates for 80107Elizabeth, CO
The average last spring frost in Elizabeth is May 16 and the average first fall frost is October 2, giving a typical growing season of about 137 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 16
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 2
- Growing season
- 137 days
Safer after Jun 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 195 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 14 · May 28 · Jun 11 | Sep 11 · Sep 24 · Oct 5 | 119 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 4 · May 16 · Jun 1 | Sep 18 · Oct 2 · Oct 16 | 137 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 26 · May 6 · May 19 | Sep 26 · Oct 10 · Oct 23 | 155 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Elizabeth
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 15 – Jun 21 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 2 – May 31 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jun 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 16 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 31 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – Jun 15 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Mar 31 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 2 – May 31 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 2 – May 31 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jun 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 23 – Jun 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – Jul 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – Jun 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – May 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 16 – Jul 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 23 – Jul 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 22 – Oct 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 80107 is matched to the NOAA station Elizabeth 2Nw, CO, 3.2 km away, at 6,611 ft elevation (131 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth 2Nw, CO (used) | 6,611 ft | May 16 | Oct 2 |
| Parker, CO | 5,904 ft | May 9 | Oct 3 |
| Castle Rock, CO | 6,185 ft | May 9 | Oct 2 |
| Denver Centennial Ap, CO | 5,883 ft | May 5 | Oct 8 |
Frost dates near Elizabeth
- Franktown, CO 80116 · last May 9, first Oct 2
- Kiowa, CO 80117 · last May 16, first Oct 2
- Parker, CO 80138 · last May 9, first Oct 3
- Castle Rock, CO 80104 · last May 9, first Oct 2
- Aurora, CO 80016 · last May 9, first Oct 3
- Larkspur, CO 80118 · last May 17, first Oct 1
- Lone Tree, CO 80124 · last May 5, first Oct 8
- Elbert, CO 80106 · last May 29, first Sep 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Elizabeth, CO?
- For ZIP code 80107, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 16, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Elizabeth 2Nw, CO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 1.
- When is the first frost in Elizabeth, CO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 2. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 18, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 80107?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 137 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.