Frost dates for 81143Moffat, CO
The average last spring frost in Moffat is May 16 and the average first fall frost is September 28, giving a typical growing season of about 135 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 16
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 28
- Growing season
- 135 days
Safer after May 31 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 201 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 20 · Jun 3 · Jun 18 | Sep 8 · Sep 20 · Sep 29 | 107 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 5 · May 16 · May 31 | Sep 18 · Sep 28 · Oct 11 | 135 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 23 · May 4 · May 16 | Sep 26 · Oct 8 · Oct 22 | 156 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Moffat
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 15 – Jun 21 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 8 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 2 – May 31 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jun 18 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 16 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 8 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 31 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – Jun 15 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Mar 31 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 2 – May 31 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 2 – May 31 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 29 – Jun 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 19 – Jun 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – Jul 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – Jun 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – May 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 16 – Jul 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 19 – Jul 4 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 18 – Oct 19 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 81143 is matched to the NOAA station Saguache, CO, 26.9 km away, at 7,701 ft elevation (90 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saguache, CO (used) | 7,701 ft | May 16 | Sep 28 |
| Crestone 2 Se, CO | 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 |
Frost dates near Moffat
- Crestone, CO 81131 · last May 26, first Sep 26
- Saguache, CO 81149 · last May 16, first Sep 28
- Hillside, CO 81232 · last Jun 11, first Sep 9
- Hooper, CO 81136 · last May 24, first Sep 24
- Villa Grove, CO 81155 · last —, first —
- Westcliffe, CO 81252 · last Jun 11, first Sep 9
- Coaldale, CO 81222 · last May 29, first Sep 20
- Cotopaxi, CO 81223 · last May 29, first Sep 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Moffat, CO?
- For ZIP code 81143, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 16, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Saguache, CO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 31.
- When is the first frost in Moffat, CO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 28. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 18, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 81143?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 135 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.