Frost dates for 81290Florence, CO
The average last spring frost in Florence is May 4 and the average first fall frost is October 7, giving a typical growing season of about 153 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 4
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 7
- Growing season
- 153 days
Safer after May 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 189 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 3 · May 16 · Jun 1 | Sep 14 · Sep 28 · Oct 9 | 134 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 24 · May 4 · May 18 | Sep 25 · Oct 7 · Oct 19 | 153 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 13 · Apr 26 · May 7 | Oct 3 · Oct 17 · Oct 29 | 171 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Florence
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 3 – Jun 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 17 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jun 27 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 17 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jun 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 28 – Jun 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 28 – Jul 13 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 27 – Oct 28 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 81290 is matched to the NOAA station Canon City, CO, 12.1 km away, at 5,378 ft elevation (198 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canon City, CO (used) | 5,378 ft | May 4 | Oct 7 |
| Pueblo Rsvr, CO | 4,861 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 13 |
| Guffey 9Se, CO | 8,915 ft | May 19 | Oct 2 |
| Westcliffe, CO | 7,873 ft | Jun 11 | Sep 9 |
Frost dates near Florence
- Florence, CO 81226 · last May 4, first Oct 7
- Coal Creek, CO 81221 · last May 4, first Oct 7
- Rockvale, CO 81244 · last May 4, first Oct 7
- Penrose, CO 81240 · last May 4, first Oct 7
- Canon City, CO 81212 · last May 4, first Oct 7
- Pueblo, CO 81007 · last Apr 26, first Oct 13
- Wetmore, CO 81253 · last Jun 11, first Sep 9
- Victor, CO 80860 · last May 26, first Sep 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Florence, CO?
- For ZIP code 81290, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Canon City, CO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 18.
- When is the first frost in Florence, CO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 7. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 25, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 81290?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 153 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.