Frost dates for 80836Stratton, CO
The average last spring frost in Stratton is May 6 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 6
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 9
- Growing season
- 155 days
Safer after May 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 191 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 15 · May 26 | Sep 18 · Sep 30 · Oct 12 | 137 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 24 · May 6 · May 17 | Sep 26 · Oct 9 · Oct 21 | 155 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 14 · Apr 27 · May 8 | Oct 5 · Oct 19 · Oct 29 | 173 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Stratton
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 5 – Jun 11 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jun 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 6 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 19 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Jun 5 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 21 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jun 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Jun 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 6 – Jun 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 30 – Jul 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 29 – Oct 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 80836 is matched to the NOAA station Stratton, CO, 0.5 km away, at 4,399 ft elevation (4 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stratton, CO (used) | 4,399 ft | May 6 | Oct 9 |
| Seibert, CO | 4,706 ft | May 4 | Oct 11 |
| Burlington Carson Ap, CO | 4,192 ft | May 2 | Oct 10 |
| Burlington, CO | 4,162 ft | May 6 | Oct 9 |
Frost dates near Stratton
- Vona, CO 80861 · last May 6, first Oct 9
- Bethune, CO 80805 · last May 6, first Oct 9
- Seibert, CO 80834 · last May 4, first Oct 11
- Burlington, CO 80807 · last May 6, first Oct 9
- Kirk, CO 80824 · last May 4, first Oct 9
- Joes, CO 80822 · last May 3, first Oct 9
- Flagler, CO 80815 · last May 5, first Oct 8
- Kanorado, KS 67741 · last May 2, first Oct 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Stratton, CO?
- For ZIP code 80836, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Stratton, CO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 17.
- When is the first frost in Stratton, CO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 26, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 80836?
- 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.