Frost dates for 81020Aguilar, CO
The average last spring frost in Aguilar is May 11 and the average first fall frost is October 4, giving a typical growing season of about 145 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 11
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 4
- Growing season
- 145 days
Safer after May 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 196 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 10 · May 23 · Jun 6 | Sep 15 · Sep 27 · Oct 7 | 126 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 29 · May 11 · May 25 | Sep 22 · Oct 4 · Oct 17 | 145 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 17 · Apr 30 · May 14 | Oct 1 · Oct 14 · Oct 25 | 165 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Aguilar
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 10 – Jun 16 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 27 – May 26 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jun 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jul 11 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jul 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 14 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jun 26 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – Jun 10 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 26 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – May 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – May 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jun 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 25 – Jun 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – Jun 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – May 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 11 – Jun 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 25 – Jul 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 24 – Oct 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 81020 is matched to the NOAA station Trinidad Lake, CO, 29 km away, at 6,310 ft elevation (294 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trinidad Lake, CO (used) | 6,310 ft | May 11 | Oct 4 |
| Walsenburg 1 Nw, CO | 6,292 ft | May 6 | Oct 4 |
| Trinidad, CO | 6,030 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 15 |
| Trinidad Perry Stokes Ap, CO | 5,741 ft | May 4 | Oct 9 |
Frost dates near Aguilar
- Trinidad, CO 81082 · last Apr 30, first Oct 15
- Boncarbo, CO 81024 · last May 5, first Oct 9
- Weston, CO 81091 · last May 21, first Sep 29
- Walsenburg, CO 81089 · last May 6, first Oct 4
- Hoehne, CO 81046 · last May 4, first Oct 9
- La Veta, CO 81055 · last May 27, first Sep 25
- Model, CO 81059 · last May 4, first Oct 9
- Raton, NM 87740 · last May 19, first Sep 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Aguilar, CO?
- For ZIP code 81020, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Trinidad Lake, CO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 25.
- When is the first frost in Aguilar, CO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 22, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 81020?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 145 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.