Frost dates for 81087Vilas, CO
The average last spring frost in Vilas is April 30 and the average first fall frost is October 14, giving a typical growing season of about 166 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 30
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 14
- Growing season
- 166 days
Safer after May 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 183 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 29 · May 9 · May 23 | Sep 24 · Oct 5 · Oct 15 | 148 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 17 · Apr 30 · May 12 | Oct 1 · Oct 14 · Oct 24 | 166 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 5 · Apr 19 · May 4 | Oct 9 · Oct 22 · Nov 2 | 185 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Vilas
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 24 |
| 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 4 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 27 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 24 |
| 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 14 – Jun 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Jun 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Sep 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 20 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 4 – Nov 4 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 81087 is matched to the NOAA station Walsh 1 W, CO, 12.9 km away, at 3,978 ft elevation (169 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walsh 1 W, CO (used) | 3,978 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 14 |
| Springfield Comanche, CO | 4,383 ft | May 3 | Oct 10 |
| Campo 7 S, CO | 4,105 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 13 |
| Richfield, KS | 3,408 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 19 |
Frost dates near Vilas
- Springfield, CO 81073 · last May 3, first Oct 10
- Two Buttes, CO 81084 · last Apr 30, first Oct 14
- Walsh, CO 81090 · last Apr 30, first Oct 14
- Campo, CO 81029 · last Apr 29, first Oct 13
- Pritchett, CO 81064 · last May 3, first Oct 10
- Manter, KS 67862 · last Apr 19, first Oct 23
- Elkhart, KS 67950 · last Apr 19, first Oct 23
- Keyes, OK 73947 · last Apr 26, first Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Vilas, CO?
- For ZIP code 81087, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Walsh 1 W, CO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 12.
- When is the first frost in Vilas, CO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 14. 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 81087?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 166 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.