Frost dates for 81320Cahone, CO
The average last spring frost in Cahone is May 17 and the average first fall frost is October 9, giving a typical growing season of about 145 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 17
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 9
- Growing season
- 145 days
Safer after Jun 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 202 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 13 · May 30 · Jun 13 | Sep 15 · Sep 30 · Oct 14 | 122 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 29 · May 17 · Jun 4 | Sep 24 · Oct 9 · Oct 24 | 145 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 13 · Apr 30 · May 22 | Oct 1 · Oct 19 · Nov 3 | 169 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Cahone
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 16 – Jun 22 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 3 – Jun 1 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jun 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 17 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 19 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 16 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 1 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jun 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jul 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 3 – May 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 17 – Jul 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 30 – Jul 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 29 – Oct 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 81320 is matched to the NOAA station Yellow Jacket 2W, CO, 22.1 km away, at 6,933 ft elevation (127 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow Jacket 2W, CO (used) | 6,933 ft | May 17 | Oct 9 |
| Dove Creek, CO | 6,863 ft | May 11 | Oct 12 |
| Yellow Jacket 4Ne, CO | 7,090 ft | May 15 | Oct 8 |
| Northdale, CO | 6,681 ft | Jun 3 | Sep 25 |
Frost dates near Cahone
- Dove Creek, CO 81324 · last Jun 3, first Sep 25
- Pleasant View, CO 81331 · last May 17, first Oct 9
- Yellow Jacket, CO 81335 · last May 17, first Oct 9
- Lewis, CO 81327 · last May 17, first Oct 9
- Egnar, CO 81325 · last Jun 3, first Sep 25
- Dolores, CO 81323 · last May 9, first Oct 14
- Cortez, CO 81321 · last May 12, first Oct 7
- Monticello, UT 84535 · last May 19, first Oct 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Cahone, CO?
- For ZIP code 81320, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 17, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Yellow Jacket 2W, CO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 4.
- When is the first frost in Cahone, CO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 24, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 81320?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 145 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.