Frost dates for 81303Durango, CO
The average last spring frost in Durango is June 1 and the average first fall frost is September 27, giving a typical growing season of about 116 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Jun 1
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 27
- Growing season
- 116 days
Safer after Jun 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 212 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 31 · Jun 13 · Jun 27 | Sep 7 · Sep 19 · Sep 29 | 96 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 17 · Jun 1 · Jun 15 | Sep 15 · Sep 27 · Oct 9 | 116 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | May 1 · May 18 · Jun 4 | Sep 24 · Oct 6 · Oct 20 | 140 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 | May 1 – Jul 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 17 – Jun 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jul 1 – Aug 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 18 – Jun 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jul 1 – Aug 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jul 1 – Jun 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 17 – Aug 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jul 1 – Aug 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 17 – Jul 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 17 – Jun 7 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jul 1 – Aug 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 24 – Jul 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – Jun 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | May 1 – Jul 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 16 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 18 – Jun 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 18 – Jun 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 28 – Jun 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 18 – Jun 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – Jul 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jun 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – Jun 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 18 – Jun 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jun 1 – Jul 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 18 – Jul 3 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 17 – Oct 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 81303 is matched to the NOAA station Durango La Plata Co Ap, CO, 12 km away, at 6,660 ft elevation (535 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durango La Plata Co Ap, CO (used) | 6,660 ft | Jun 1 | Sep 27 |
| Ft Lewis, CO | 7,614 ft | Jun 1 | Sep 27 |
| Durango, CO | 6,761 ft | May 21 | Oct 2 |
| Ignacio 6Ese, CO | 6,548 ft | May 23 | Sep 29 |
Frost dates near Durango
- Durango, CO 81302 · last May 21, first Oct 2
- Marvel, CO 81329 · last Jun 1, first Sep 27
- Hesperus, CO 81326 · last Jun 4, first Sep 24
- Ignacio, CO 81137 · last May 23, first Sep 29
- Bayfield, CO 81122 · last May 21, first Oct 2
- La Plata, NM 87418 · last May 12, first Oct 6
- Aztec, NM 87410 · last May 12, first Oct 6
- Navajo Dam, NM 87419 · last May 23, first Sep 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Durango, CO?
- For ZIP code 81303, the average last spring frost (32°F) is June 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Durango La Plata Co Ap, CO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 15.
- When is the first frost in Durango, CO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 27. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 15, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 81303?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 116 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.