Frost dates for 80755Vernon, CO
The average last spring frost in Vernon is May 4 and the average first fall frost is October 9, giving a typical growing season of about 155 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 4
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 9
- Growing season
- 155 days
Safer after May 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 189 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 3 · May 15 · May 30 | Sep 18 · Sep 30 · Oct 12 | 137 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 21 · May 4 · May 17 | Sep 24 · Oct 9 · Oct 20 | 155 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 11 · Apr 25 · May 8 | Oct 3 · Oct 18 · Oct 29 | 174 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Vernon
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 3 – Jun 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jun 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 19 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jun 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 30 – Jul 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 29 – Oct 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 80755 is matched to the NOAA station Idalia, CO, 25.6 km away, at 3,965 ft elevation (71 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Idalia, CO (used) | 3,965 ft | May 4 | Oct 9 |
| Wray, CO | 3,553 ft | May 7 | Oct 6 |
| Haigler, NE | 3,275 ft | May 5 | Oct 5 |
| Bonny Dam 2Ne, CO | 3,717 ft | May 5 | Oct 10 |
Frost dates near Vernon
- Idalia, CO 80735 · last May 4, first Oct 9
- Wray, CO 80758 · last May 7, first Oct 6
- Eckley, CO 80727 · last May 1, first Oct 12
- Haigler, NE 69030 · last May 5, first Oct 5
- Kirk, CO 80824 · last May 4, first Oct 9
- Yuma, CO 80759 · last May 1, first Oct 12
- Joes, CO 80822 · last May 3, first Oct 9
- Saint Francis, KS 67756 · last Apr 30, first Oct 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Vernon, CO?
- For ZIP code 80755, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Idalia, CO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 17.
- When is the first frost in Vernon, CO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 24, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 80755?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 155 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.