Frost dates for 81140La Jara, CO
The average last spring frost in La Jara is June 6 and the average first fall frost is September 15, giving a typical growing season of about 100 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Jun 6
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 15
- Growing season
- 100 days
Safer after Jun 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 222 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) | — | — | 72 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 24 · Jun 6 · Jun 22 | Sep 3 · Sep 15 · Sep 26 | 100 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | May 9 · May 24 · Jun 6 | Sep 13 · Sep 25 · Oct 5 | 123 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for La Jara
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 | May 6 – Jul 12 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 22 – May 26 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jul 6 – Aug 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 23 – Jun 21 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jul 6 – Aug 6 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jul 6 – Jun 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 22 – Aug 6 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jul 6 – Aug 6 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 22 – Jun 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 22 – May 26 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jul 6 – Aug 6 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 29 – Jul 22 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 6 – Jun 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | May 6 – Jul 6 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 21 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 23 – Jun 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 23 – Jun 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 16 – May 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jun 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 6 – Jun 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 6 – Jul 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – Jun 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 6 – Jun 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Aug 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 23 – Jun 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 29 – Jul 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jun 6 – Jul 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 6 – Jun 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 5 – Oct 6 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 81140 is matched to the NOAA station Waverly 1W, CO, 15.6 km away, at 7,603 ft elevation (28 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waverly 1W, CO (used) | 7,603 ft | Jun 6 | Sep 15 |
| Manassa, CO | 7,695 ft | May 28 | Sep 21 |
| Alamosa San Luis Ap, CO | 7,534 ft | Jun 7 | Sep 15 |
| Alamosa 1E, CO | 7,540 ft | May 30 | Sep 17 |
Frost dates near La Jara
- Capulin, CO 81124 · last May 28, first Sep 21
- Sanford, CO 81151 · last May 28, first Sep 21
- Romeo, CO 81148 · last May 28, first Sep 21
- Manassa, CO 81141 · last May 28, first Sep 21
- Conejos, CO 81129 · last May 28, first Sep 21
- Alamosa, CO 81101 · last Jun 7, first Sep 15
- Antonito, CO 81120 · last May 28, first Sep 21
- Homelake, CO 81135 · last Jun 11, first Sep 13
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in La Jara, CO?
- For ZIP code 81140, the average last spring frost (32°F) is June 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Waverly 1W, CO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 22.
- When is the first frost in La Jara, CO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 15. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 3, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 81140?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 100 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.