Frost dates for 81082Trinidad, CO
The average last spring frost in Trinidad is April 30 and the average first fall frost is October 15, giving a typical growing season of about 167 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 30
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 15
- Growing season
- 167 days
Safer after May 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 185 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 26 · May 8 · May 22 | Sep 23 · Oct 6 · Oct 18 | 149 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 16 · Apr 30 · May 11 | Oct 1 · Oct 15 · Oct 29 | 167 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 4 · Apr 19 · May 3 | Oct 11 · Oct 24 · Nov 7 | 187 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Trinidad
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 30 – Jun 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jul 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jun 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Jun 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Sep 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 5 – Nov 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 81082 is matched to the NOAA station Trinidad, CO, 10.2 km away, at 6,030 ft elevation (92 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trinidad, CO (used) | 6,030 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 15 |
| Trinidad Lake, CO | 6,310 ft | May 11 | Oct 4 |
| Trinidad Perry Stokes Ap, CO | 5,741 ft | May 4 | Oct 9 |
| Lake Maloya, NM | 7,400 ft | May 21 | Sep 29 |
Frost dates near Trinidad
- Hoehne, CO 81046 · last May 4, first Oct 9
- Boncarbo, CO 81024 · last May 5, first Oct 9
- Aguilar, CO 81020 · last May 11, first Oct 4
- Weston, CO 81091 · last May 21, first Sep 29
- Model, CO 81059 · last May 4, first Oct 9
- Trinchera, CO 81081 · last May 4, first Oct 9
- Raton, NM 87740 · last May 19, first Sep 29
- Walsenburg, CO 81089 · last May 6, first Oct 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Trinidad, CO?
- For ZIP code 81082, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Trinidad, CO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 11.
- When is the first frost in Trinidad, CO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 15. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 81082?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 167 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.