Frost dates for 81126Chama, CO
The average last spring frost in Chama is May 31 and the average first fall frost is September 23, giving a typical growing season of about 115 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 31
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 23
- Growing season
- 115 days
Safer after Jun 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 216 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 31 · Jun 13 · Jun 28 | Sep 3 · Sep 14 · Sep 26 | 91 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 14 · May 31 · Jun 14 | Sep 10 · Sep 23 · Oct 5 | 115 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 29 · May 13 · Jun 2 | Sep 17 · Sep 30 · Oct 14 | 139 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Chama
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 30 – Jul 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 16 – Jun 3 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 17 – Jun 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 30 – Jun 13 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 31 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jun 3 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 23 – Jul 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 17 – Jun 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 17 – Jun 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 24 – Jun 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Apr 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 14 – Jun 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jul 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Aug 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 17 – Jun 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 31 – Jul 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 14 – Jun 29 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 13 – Oct 14 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 81126 is matched to the NOAA station San Luis 1 S, CO, 5.5 km away, at 7,943 ft elevation (243 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Luis 1 S, CO (used) | 7,943 ft | May 31 | Sep 23 |
| Blanca 4 Nw, CO | 7,709 ft | May 25 | Sep 22 |
| Manassa, CO | 7,695 ft | May 28 | Sep 21 |
| Red River, NM | 8,667 ft | Jun 19 | Sep 7 |
Frost dates near Chama
- San Luis, CO 81152 · last May 31, first Sep 23
- Amalia, NM 87512 · last May 31, first Sep 23
- Jaroso, CO 81138 · last May 31, first Sep 26
- Fort Garland, CO 81133 · last May 25, first Sep 22
- Blanca, CO 81123 · last May 25, first Sep 22
- Costilla, NM 87524 · last Jun 19, first Sep 7
- Sanford, CO 81151 · last May 28, first Sep 21
- La Veta, CO 81055 · last May 27, first Sep 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Chama, CO?
- For ZIP code 81126, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 31, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the San Luis 1 S, CO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 14.
- When is the first frost in Chama, CO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 23. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 10, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 81126?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 115 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.