Frost dates for 81055La Veta, CO
The average last spring frost in La Veta is May 27 and the average first fall frost is September 25, giving a typical growing season of about 119 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 27
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 25
- Growing season
- 119 days
Safer after Jun 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 212 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 27 · Jun 7 · Jun 22 | Sep 3 · Sep 17 · Sep 30 | 99 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 12 · May 27 · Jun 10 | Sep 11 · Sep 25 · Oct 8 | 119 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 30 · May 13 · May 30 | Sep 20 · Oct 4 · Oct 19 | 141 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for La Veta
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 26 – Jul 2 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 12 – Jun 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 26 – May 27 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 26 – Jul 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 13 – Jun 11 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 26 – Jul 27 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 26 – Jun 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 27 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 26 – Jul 27 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jun 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 26 – Jul 27 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 19 – Jul 12 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 11 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 26 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 11 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 13 – Jun 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 13 – Jun 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 26 – Jun 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – May 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 16 – Jun 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jul 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Aug 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jun 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Aug 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 13 – Jun 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 27 – Jul 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 16 – Jul 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 15 – Oct 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 81055 is matched to the NOAA station Sheep Mtn, CO, 27.5 km away, at 7,744 ft elevation (421 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheep Mtn, CO (used) | 7,744 ft | May 27 | Sep 25 |
| Walsenburg 1 Nw, CO | 6,292 ft | May 6 | Oct 4 |
| Blanca 4 Nw, CO | 7,709 ft | May 25 | Sep 22 |
| Rye 1Sw, CO | 7,141 ft | May 5 | Oct 10 |
Frost dates near La Veta
- Walsenburg, CO 81089 · last May 6, first Oct 4
- Fort Garland, CO 81133 · last May 25, first Sep 22
- Gardner, CO 81040 · last May 5, first Oct 10
- Aguilar, CO 81020 · last May 11, first Oct 4
- Blanca, CO 81123 · last May 25, first Sep 22
- Weston, CO 81091 · last May 21, first Sep 29
- Boncarbo, CO 81024 · last May 5, first Oct 9
- Rye, CO 81069 · last May 5, first Oct 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in La Veta, CO?
- For ZIP code 81055, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 27, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Sheep Mtn, CO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 10.
- When is the first frost in La Veta, CO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 11, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 81055?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 119 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.