Frost dates for 81050La Junta, CO
The average last spring frost in La Junta is May 1 and the average first fall frost is October 8, giving a typical growing season of about 159 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 1
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 8
- Growing season
- 159 days
Safer after May 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 26 (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 11 · May 25 | Sep 19 · Sep 30 · Oct 10 | 141 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 20 · May 1 · May 14 | Sep 26 · Oct 8 · Oct 19 | 159 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 21 · May 3 | Oct 5 · Oct 16 · Oct 27 | 178 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for La Junta
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 18 |
| 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 – Jun 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 18 |
| 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 8 – Jun 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 29 – Jun 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Jun 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – Jun 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 29 – Jul 14 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 28 – Oct 29 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 81050 is matched to the NOAA station Rocky Ford 2 Se, CO, 9.7 km away, at 4,170 ft elevation (95 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Ford 2 Se, CO (used) | 4,170 ft | May 1 | Oct 8 |
| La Junta, CO | 4,089 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 15 |
| La Junta Muni Ap, CO | 4,194 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 15 |
| La Junta 17 Wsw, CO | 4,386 ft | May 8 | Oct 4 |
Frost dates near La Junta
- Swink, CO 81077 · last May 1, first Oct 8
- Rocky Ford, CO 81067 · last May 1, first Oct 8
- Cheraw, CO 81030 · last Apr 30, first Oct 10
- Manzanola, CO 81058 · last May 2, first Oct 8
- Ordway, CO 81063 · last May 2, first Oct 8
- Crowley, CO 81033 · last May 2, first Oct 8
- Sugar City, CO 81076 · last May 2, first Oct 8
- Olney Springs, CO 81062 · last May 2, first Oct 8
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in La Junta, CO?
- For ZIP code 81050, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Rocky Ford 2 Se, CO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 14.
- When is the first frost in La Junta, CO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 8. 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 81050?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 159 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.