Frost dates for 81324Dove Creek, CO
The average last spring frost in Dove Creek is June 3 and the average first fall frost is September 25, giving a typical growing season of about 113 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Jun 3
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 25
- Growing season
- 113 days
Safer after Jun 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 219 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) | Jun 2 · Jun 16 · Jun 30 | Sep 3 · Sep 16 · Sep 28 | 90 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 19 · Jun 3 · Jun 19 | Sep 12 · Sep 25 · Oct 6 | 113 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | May 3 · May 21 · Jun 6 | Sep 22 · Oct 4 · Oct 17 | 135 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Dove Creek
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 3 – Jul 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 19 – Jun 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jul 3 – Aug 3 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 20 – Jun 18 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jul 3 – Aug 3 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jul 3 – Jun 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 19 – Aug 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jul 3 – Aug 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 19 – Jul 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 19 – Jun 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jul 3 – Aug 3 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 26 – Jul 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jul 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 20 – Jun 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 20 – Jun 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 26 – Jun 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 16 – Jun 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jul 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Aug 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Aug 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 20 – Jun 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jun 3 – Jul 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 16 – Jul 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 15 – Oct 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 81324 is matched to the NOAA station Northdale, CO, 10 km away, at 6,681 ft elevation (136 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northdale, CO (used) | 6,681 ft | Jun 3 | Sep 25 |
| Dove Creek, CO | 6,863 ft | May 11 | Oct 12 |
| Cedar Pt, UT | 6,760 ft | May 16 | Oct 11 |
| Yellow Jacket 2W, CO | 6,933 ft | May 17 | Oct 9 |
Frost dates near Dove Creek
- Cahone, CO 81320 · last May 17, first Oct 9
- Egnar, CO 81325 · 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
- Monticello, UT 84535 · last May 19, first Oct 2
- Dolores, CO 81323 · last May 9, first Oct 14
- Blanding, UT 84511 · last Apr 28, first Oct 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Dove Creek, CO?
- For ZIP code 81324, the average last spring frost (32°F) is June 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Northdale, CO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 19.
- When is the first frost in Dove Creek, CO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 12, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 81324?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 113 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.