Frost dates for 81232Hillside, CO
The average last spring frost in Hillside is June 11 and the average first fall frost is September 9, giving a typical growing season of about 89 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Jun 11
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 9
- Growing season
- 89 days
Safer after Jun 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Aug 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 227 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) | — | — | 60 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 29 · Jun 11 · Jun 28 | Aug 28 · Sep 9 · Sep 23 | 89 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | May 16 · May 28 · Jun 13 | Sep 6 · Sep 20 · Oct 2 | 114 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Hillside
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 11 – Jul 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 27 – May 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jul 11 – Aug 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 28 – Jun 26 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jul 11 – Aug 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jul 11 – May 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 27 – Aug 11 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jul 11 – Aug 11 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 27 – Jun 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 27 – May 20 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jul 11 – Aug 11 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jul 4 – Jul 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 11 – Jun 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | May 11 – Jul 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 26 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 28 – Jun 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 28 – Jun 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 10 – May 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jun 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Apr 30 – May 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 11 – Jul 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 30 – Jul 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 11 – Jul 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 30 – Jul 31 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 28 – Jun 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 23 – Jun 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jun 11 – Jul 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Apr 30 – Jun 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Aug 30 – Sep 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 81232 is matched to the NOAA station Westcliffe, CO, 19.6 km away, at 7,873 ft elevation (393 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westcliffe, CO (used) | 7,873 ft | Jun 11 | Sep 9 |
| Crestone 2 Se, CO | 8,004 ft | May 26 | Sep 26 |
| Canon City, CO | 5,378 ft | May 4 | Oct 7 |
| Salida, CO | 7,160 ft | May 29 | Sep 20 |
Frost dates near Hillside
- Cotopaxi, CO 81223 · last May 29, first Sep 20
- Coaldale, CO 81222 · last May 29, first Sep 20
- Howard, CO 81233 · last May 29, first Sep 20
- Westcliffe, CO 81252 · last Jun 11, first Sep 9
- Canon City, CO 81215 · last May 29, first Sep 20
- Moffat, CO 81143 · last May 16, first Sep 28
- Crestone, CO 81131 · last May 26, first Sep 26
- Rockvale, CO 81244 · last May 4, first Oct 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Hillside, CO?
- For ZIP code 81232, the average last spring frost (32°F) is June 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Westcliffe, CO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 28.
- When is the first frost in Hillside, CO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by August 28, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 81232?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 89 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.