Frost dates for 81330Mesa Verde National Park, CO
The average last spring frost in Mesa Verde National Park is May 9 and the average first fall frost is October 14, giving a typical growing season of about 156 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 9
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 14
- Growing season
- 156 days
Safer after May 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 194 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 5 · May 21 · Jun 8 | Sep 22 · Oct 4 · Oct 17 | 133 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 24 · May 9 · May 27 | Oct 1 · Oct 14 · Oct 26 | 156 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 27 · May 13 | Oct 10 · Oct 24 · Nov 9 | 181 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Mesa Verde National Park
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 8 – Jun 14 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 24 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 4 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 27 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 24 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 24 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Jun 8 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jun 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Jun 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Sep 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 20 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 4 – Nov 4 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 81330 is matched to the NOAA station Mesa Verde Np, CO, 3.6 km away, at 7,142 ft elevation (374 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mesa Verde Np, CO (used) | 7,142 ft | May 9 | Oct 14 |
| Cortez 8 Se, CO | 8,035 ft | May 6 | Oct 14 |
| Cortez Montezuma Co Ap, CO | 5,914 ft | May 27 | Sep 28 |
| Cortez, CO | 6,167 ft | May 12 | Oct 7 |
Frost dates near Mesa Verde National Park
- Cortez, CO 81321 · last May 12, first Oct 7
- Mancos, CO 81328 · last Jun 4, first Sep 24
- Towaoc, CO 81334 · last May 27, first Sep 28
- Dolores, CO 81323 · last May 9, first Oct 14
- Hesperus, CO 81326 · last Jun 4, first Sep 24
- Marvel, CO 81329 · last Jun 1, first Sep 27
- Lewis, CO 81327 · last May 17, first Oct 9
- Yellow Jacket, CO 81335 · last May 17, first Oct 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Mesa Verde National Park, CO?
- For ZIP code 81330, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Mesa Verde Np, CO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 27.
- When is the first frost in Mesa Verde National Park, CO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 14. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 81330?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 156 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.