Frost dates for 81154South Fork, CO
The average last spring frost in South Fork is May 23 and the average first fall frost is September 25, giving a typical growing season of about 123 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 23
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 25
- Growing season
- 123 days
Safer after Jun 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 208 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 24 · Jun 6 · Jun 19 | Sep 6 · Sep 17 · Sep 26 | 101 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 11 · May 23 · Jun 8 | Sep 13 · Sep 25 · Oct 7 | 123 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 28 · May 9 · May 26 | Sep 21 · Oct 4 · Oct 17 | 145 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for South Fork
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 22 – Jun 28 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jun 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 9 – Jun 7 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 22 – Jun 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jun 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 7 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 22 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 7 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 26 – Jun 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 16 – Jun 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jul 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Aug 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Aug 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 9 – May 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 23 – Jul 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 16 – Jul 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 15 – Oct 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 81154 is matched to the NOAA station Del Norte 3Ene, CO, 26.9 km away, at 7,846 ft elevation (341 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Del Norte 3Ene, CO (used) | 7,846 ft | May 23 | Sep 25 |
| Creede Wtp, CO | 8,624 ft | — | — |
| Creede, CO | 8,852 ft | — | — |
| Monte Vista 2W, CO | 7,695 ft | Jun 11 | Sep 13 |
Frost dates near South Fork
- Del Norte, CO 81132 · last May 23, first Sep 25
- Creede, CO 81130 · last —, first —
- Monte Vista, CO 81144 · last Jun 11, first Sep 13
- Center, CO 81125 · last May 24, first Sep 24
- Homelake, CO 81135 · last Jun 11, first Sep 13
- Pagosa Springs, CO 81157 · last Jun 9, first Sep 22
- Saguache, CO 81149 · last May 16, first Sep 28
- Capulin, CO 81124 · last May 28, first Sep 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in South Fork, CO?
- For ZIP code 81154, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Del Norte 3Ene, CO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 8.
- When is the first frost in South Fork, CO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 13, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 81154?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 123 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.