Frost dates for 81147Pagosa Springs, CO
The average last spring frost in Pagosa Springs is May 31 and the average first fall frost is September 26, giving a typical growing season of about 119 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 31
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 26
- Growing season
- 119 days
Safer after Jun 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 14 (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 11 · Jun 27 | Sep 4 · Sep 17 · Sep 26 | 95 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 16 · May 31 · Jun 14 | Sep 14 · Sep 26 · Oct 8 | 119 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 30 · May 14 · Jun 1 | Sep 24 · Oct 5 · Oct 20 | 145 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Pagosa Springs
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 6 |
| 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 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 31 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jun 6 |
| 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 27 – Jun 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Apr 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 17 – Jun 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jul 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 17 – Jun 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 31 – Jul 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 17 – Jul 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 16 – Oct 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 81147 is matched to the NOAA station Vallecito Dam, CO, 50.1 km away, at 7,644 ft elevation (242 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vallecito Dam, CO (used) | 7,644 ft | May 31 | Sep 26 |
| Dulce, NM | 6,793 ft | Jun 9 | Sep 22 |
| Ignacio 6Ese, CO | 6,548 ft | May 23 | Sep 29 |
| Vallecito Reservoir, CO | 7,673 ft | May 18 | Oct 11 |
Frost dates near Pagosa Springs
- Pagosa Springs, CO 81157 · last Jun 9, first Sep 22
- Chromo, CO 81128 · last Jun 9, first Sep 22
- Arboles, CO 81121 · last May 23, first Sep 29
- Dulce, NM 87528 · last Jun 9, first Sep 22
- Bayfield, CO 81122 · last May 21, first Oct 2
- Ignacio, CO 81137 · last May 23, first Sep 29
- Chama, NM 87520 · last Jun 14, first Sep 18
- South Fork, CO 81154 · last May 23, first Sep 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Pagosa Springs, CO?
- For ZIP code 81147, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 31, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Vallecito Dam, CO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 14.
- When is the first frost in Pagosa Springs, 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 81147?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 119 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.