Frost dates for 81073Springfield, CO
The average last spring frost in Springfield is May 3 and the average first fall frost is October 10, giving a typical growing season of about 158 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 3
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 10
- Growing season
- 158 days
Safer after May 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 188 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 1 · May 13 · May 28 | Sep 22 · Oct 3 · Oct 13 | 141 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 20 · May 3 · May 17 | Sep 29 · Oct 10 · Oct 21 | 158 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 10 · Apr 24 · May 7 | Oct 5 · Oct 19 · Oct 29 | 178 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Springfield
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 2 – Jun 8 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 23 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 20 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 18 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 2 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jun 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 31 – Jun 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 31 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 31 – Jul 16 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 30 – Oct 31 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 81073 is matched to the NOAA station Springfield Comanche, CO, 13.7 km away, at 4,383 ft elevation (16 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield Comanche, CO (used) | 4,383 ft | May 3 | Oct 10 |
| Walsh 1 W, CO | 3,978 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 14 |
| Campo 7 S, CO | 4,105 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 13 |
| Kim 15 Nne, CO | 5,190 ft | May 5 | Oct 9 |
Frost dates near Springfield
- Vilas, CO 81087 · last Apr 30, first Oct 14
- Two Buttes, CO 81084 · last Apr 30, first Oct 14
- Pritchett, CO 81064 · last May 3, first Oct 10
- Campo, CO 81029 · last Apr 29, first Oct 13
- Walsh, CO 81090 · last Apr 30, first Oct 14
- Kenton, OK 73946 · last Apr 20, first Oct 20
- Manter, KS 67862 · last Apr 19, first Oct 23
- Kim, CO 81049 · last May 5, first Oct 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Springfield, CO?
- For ZIP code 81073, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Springfield Comanche, CO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 17.
- When is the first frost in Springfield, CO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 10. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 81073?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 158 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.