Frost dates for 81125Center, CO
The average last spring frost in Center is May 24 and the average first fall frost is September 24, giving a typical growing season of about 120 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 24
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 24
- Growing season
- 120 days
Safer after Jun 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 209 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 29 · Jun 9 · Jun 23 | Sep 2 · Sep 13 · Sep 25 | 92 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 9 · May 24 · Jun 8 | Sep 12 · Sep 24 · Oct 5 | 120 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 26 · May 8 · May 24 | Sep 20 · Oct 2 · Oct 14 | 146 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Center
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 23 – Jun 29 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 9 – Jun 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 23 – Jul 24 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 10 – Jun 8 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 23 – Jul 24 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 23 – Jun 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 24 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 23 – Jul 24 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jun 4 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 23 – Jul 24 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 9 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 23 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 8 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 10 – Jun 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 10 – Jun 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 25 – Jun 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 15 – Jun 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jul 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Aug 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 10 – May 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 24 – Jul 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 15 – Jun 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 14 – Oct 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 81125 is matched to the NOAA station Center 4 Ssw, CO, 5.6 km away, at 7,673 ft elevation (35 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Center 4 Ssw, CO (used) | 7,673 ft | May 24 | Sep 24 |
| Monte Vista 2W, CO | 7,695 ft | Jun 11 | Sep 13 |
| Del Norte 3Ene, CO | 7,846 ft | May 23 | Sep 25 |
| Waverly 1W, CO | 7,603 ft | Jun 6 | Sep 15 |
Frost dates near Center
- Homelake, CO 81135 · last Jun 11, first Sep 13
- Monte Vista, CO 81144 · last Jun 11, first Sep 13
- Hooper, CO 81136 · last May 24, first Sep 24
- Mosca, CO 81146 · last Jun 7, first Sep 15
- Del Norte, CO 81132 · last May 23, first Sep 25
- Alamosa, CO 81102 · last Jun 7, first Sep 15
- Moffat, CO 81143 · last May 16, first Sep 28
- Saguache, CO 81149 · last May 16, first Sep 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Center, CO?
- For ZIP code 81125, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 24, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Center 4 Ssw, CO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 8.
- When is the first frost in Center, CO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 24. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 12, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 81125?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 120 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.