Frost dates for 81301Durango, CO
The average last spring frost in Durango is May 21 and the average first fall frost is October 2, giving a typical growing season of about 134 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 21
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 2
- Growing season
- 134 days
Safer after Jun 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 206 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 20 · Jun 2 · Jun 19 | Sep 11 · Sep 25 · Oct 5 | 113 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 7 · May 21 · Jun 7 | Sep 19 · Oct 2 · Oct 15 | 134 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 24 · May 7 · May 27 | Sep 29 · Oct 12 · Oct 23 | 157 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Durango
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 20 – Jun 26 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 6 – Jun 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 20 – Jul 21 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 7 – Jun 5 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 20 – Jul 21 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 20 – Jun 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 21 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 20 – Jul 21 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jun 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 20 – Jul 21 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 13 – Jul 6 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – Jun 5 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – Jun 20 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 5 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 7 – Jun 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 7 – Jun 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jun 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 23 – Jun 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – Jul 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – Jun 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 7 – May 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 21 – Jul 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 23 – Jul 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 22 – Oct 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 81301 is matched to the NOAA station Durango, CO, 0.6 km away, at 6,761 ft elevation (188 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durango, CO (used) | 6,761 ft | May 21 | Oct 2 |
| Ft Lewis, CO | 7,614 ft | Jun 1 | Sep 27 |
| Durango La Plata Co Ap, CO | 6,660 ft | Jun 1 | Sep 27 |
| Lemon Dam, CO | 8,110 ft | May 28 | Sep 30 |
Frost dates near Durango
- Durango, CO 81302 · last May 21, first Oct 2
- Bayfield, CO 81122 · last May 21, first Oct 2
- Ignacio, CO 81137 · last May 23, first Sep 29
- Hesperus, CO 81326 · last Jun 4, first Sep 24
- Marvel, CO 81329 · last Jun 1, first Sep 27
- Mancos, CO 81328 · last Jun 4, first Sep 24
- La Plata, NM 87418 · last May 12, first Oct 6
- Rico, CO 81332 · last —, first —
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Durango, CO?
- For ZIP code 81301, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 21, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Durango, CO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 7.
- When is the first frost in Durango, CO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 2. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 19, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 81301?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 134 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.