Frost dates for 81071Sheridan Lake, CO
The average last spring frost in Sheridan Lake is April 27 and the average first fall frost is October 15, giving a typical growing season of about 170 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 27
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 15
- Growing season
- 170 days
Safer after May 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 182 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 24 · May 5 · May 20 | Sep 25 · Oct 7 · Oct 18 | 154 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 13 · Apr 27 · May 10 | Oct 2 · Oct 15 · Oct 26 | 170 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 17 · May 2 | Oct 12 · Oct 23 · Nov 5 | 188 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Sheridan Lake
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 27 – Jun 2 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jun 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jul 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 27 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jul 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 12 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 12 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jun 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Jun 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Sep 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – Jun 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 5 – Nov 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 81071 is matched to the NOAA station Sheridan Lake, CO, 0.4 km away, at 4,070 ft elevation (5 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheridan Lake, CO (used) | 4,070 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 15 |
| Sheridan Lake 4E, CO | 4,039 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 13 |
| Arapahoe 12S, CO | 4,065 ft | May 5 | Oct 9 |
| Eads, CO | 4,212 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 13 |
Frost dates near Sheridan Lake
- Eads, CO 81036 · last Apr 30, first Oct 13
- Hartman, CO 81043 · last May 1, first Oct 12
- Cheyenne Wells, CO 80810 · last May 1, first Oct 14
- Arapahoe, CO 80802 · last May 5, first Oct 9
- Granada, CO 81041 · last May 1, first Oct 12
- Tribune, KS 67879 · last May 2, first Oct 11
- Wiley, CO 81092 · last May 2, first Oct 7
- Lamar, CO 81052 · last Apr 30, first Oct 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Sheridan Lake, CO?
- For ZIP code 81071, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 27, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Sheridan Lake, CO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 10.
- When is the first frost in Sheridan Lake, CO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 15. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 2, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 81071?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 170 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.