Frost dates for 81233Howard, CO
The average last spring frost in Howard is May 29 and the average first fall frost is September 20, giving a typical growing season of about 112 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 29
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 20
- Growing season
- 112 days
Safer after Jun 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 214 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 29 · Jun 10 · Jun 26 | Aug 29 · Sep 10 · Sep 20 | 90 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 15 · May 29 · Jun 12 | Sep 8 · Sep 20 · Sep 30 | 112 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | May 3 · May 17 · May 31 | Sep 18 · Sep 29 · Oct 11 | 136 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Howard
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 28 – Jul 4 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 14 – May 31 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 28 – Jul 29 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 15 – Jun 13 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 28 – Jul 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 28 – Jun 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 29 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 28 – Jul 29 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 3 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – May 31 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 28 – Jul 29 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 21 – Jul 14 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jun 13 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jun 28 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 15 – Jun 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 15 – Jun 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 21 – May 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 11 – Jun 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jul 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jun 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jun 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Aug 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 15 – Jun 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 29 – Jul 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 11 – Jun 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 10 – Oct 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 81233 is matched to the NOAA station Salida, CO, 25.4 km away, at 7,160 ft elevation (228 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salida, CO (used) | 7,160 ft | May 29 | Sep 20 |
| Westcliffe, CO | 7,873 ft | Jun 11 | Sep 9 |
| Guffey 9Se, CO | 8,915 ft | May 19 | Oct 2 |
| Canon City, CO | 5,378 ft | May 4 | Oct 7 |
Frost dates near Howard
- Coaldale, CO 81222 · last May 29, first Sep 20
- Cotopaxi, CO 81223 · last May 29, first Sep 20
- Hillside, CO 81232 · last Jun 11, first Sep 9
- Salida, CO 81201 · last May 29, first Sep 20
- Canon City, CO 81215 · last May 29, first Sep 20
- Poncha Springs, CO 81242 · last May 29, first Sep 20
- Villa Grove, CO 81155 · last —, first —
- Moffat, CO 81143 · last May 16, first Sep 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Howard, CO?
- For ZIP code 81233, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 29, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Salida, CO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 12.
- When is the first frost in Howard, CO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 20. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 8, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 81233?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 112 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.