Frost dates for 80743Otis, CO
The average last spring frost in Otis is May 1 and the average first fall frost is October 12, giving a typical growing season of about 164 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 1
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 12
- Growing season
- 164 days
Safer after May 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 186 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) | Apr 30 · May 10 · May 22 | Sep 21 · Oct 4 · Oct 14 | 146 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 16 · May 1 · May 13 | Sep 30 · Oct 12 · Oct 23 | 164 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 4 · Apr 19 · May 3 | Oct 6 · Oct 20 · Oct 30 | 181 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Otis
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 | Mar 31 – Jun 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 22 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 2 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 22 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 31 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 16 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jun 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Jun 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Sep 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – Jun 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 18 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 2 – Nov 2 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 80743 is matched to the NOAA station Yuma, CO, 20.5 km away, at 4,134 ft elevation (164 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yuma, CO (used) | 4,134 ft | May 1 | Oct 12 |
| Akron 4 E, CO | 4,542 ft | May 8 | Oct 6 |
| Akron Washington Co Ap, CO | 4,663 ft | May 6 | Oct 8 |
| Leroy 5 Wsw, CO | 4,467 ft | May 10 | Oct 6 |
Frost dates near Otis
- Yuma, CO 80759 · last May 1, first Oct 12
- Akron, CO 80720 · last May 6, first Oct 8
- Eckley, CO 80727 · last May 1, first Oct 12
- Atwood, CO 80722 · last Apr 30, first Oct 9
- Fleming, CO 80728 · last May 4, first Oct 11
- Wray, CO 80758 · last May 7, first Oct 6
- Hillrose, CO 80733 · last May 6, first Oct 6
- Sterling, CO 80751 · last Apr 30, first Oct 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Otis, CO?
- For ZIP code 80743, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Yuma, CO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 13.
- When is the first frost in Otis, CO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 12. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 30, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 80743?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 164 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.