Frost dates for 81131Crestone, CO
The average last spring frost in Crestone is May 26 and the average first fall frost is September 26, giving a typical growing season of about 120 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 26
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 26
- Growing season
- 120 days
Safer after Jun 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 211 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 26 · Jun 7 · Jun 24 | Sep 4 · Sep 17 · Sep 28 | 98 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 14 · May 26 · Jun 9 | Sep 14 · Sep 26 · Oct 8 | 120 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 30 · May 13 · May 27 | Sep 23 · Oct 5 · Oct 18 | 142 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Crestone
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 25 – Jul 1 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 11 – Jun 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 25 – Jul 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 12 – Jun 10 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 25 – Jul 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 25 – Jun 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 25 – Jul 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jun 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 25 – Jul 26 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 18 – Jul 11 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – Jun 10 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – Jun 25 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 10 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 12 – Jun 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 12 – Jun 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 27 – Jun 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 17 – Jun 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – Jul 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – Jun 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 12 – Jun 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 26 – Jul 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 17 – Jul 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 16 – Oct 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 81131 is matched to the NOAA station Crestone 2 Se, CO, 3.1 km away, at 8,004 ft elevation (212 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crestone 2 Se, CO (used) | 8,004 ft | May 26 | Sep 26 |
| Westcliffe, CO | 7,873 ft | Jun 11 | Sep 9 |
| Great Sand Dunes Np & Preserve, CO | 8,183 ft | May 21 | Oct 1 |
| Saguache, CO | 7,701 ft | May 16 | Sep 28 |
Frost dates near Crestone
- Moffat, CO 81143 · last May 16, first Sep 28
- Westcliffe, CO 81252 · last Jun 11, first Sep 9
- Hooper, CO 81136 · last May 24, first Sep 24
- Hillside, CO 81232 · last Jun 11, first Sep 9
- Mosca, CO 81146 · last Jun 7, first Sep 15
- Center, CO 81125 · last May 24, first Sep 24
- Cotopaxi, CO 81223 · last May 29, first Sep 20
- Saguache, CO 81149 · last May 16, first Sep 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Crestone, CO?
- For ZIP code 81131, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Crestone 2 Se, CO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 9.
- When is the first frost in Crestone, CO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 26. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 81131?
- 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.