Frost dates for 81334Towaoc, CO
The average last spring frost in Towaoc is May 27 and the average first fall frost is September 28, giving a typical growing season of about 125 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 27
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 28
- Growing season
- 125 days
Safer after Jun 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 207 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 26 · Jun 9 · Jun 24 | Sep 8 · Sep 20 · Sep 30 | 100 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 9 · May 27 · Jun 11 | Sep 17 · Sep 28 · Oct 10 | 125 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 25 · May 8 · May 31 | Sep 26 · Oct 7 · Oct 21 | 150 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Towaoc
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 26 – Jul 2 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 12 – Jun 8 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 26 – May 27 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 26 – Jul 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 13 – Jun 11 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 26 – Jul 27 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 26 – Jun 18 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 27 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 26 – Jul 27 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jun 8 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 26 – Jul 27 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 19 – Jul 12 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 11 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 26 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 11 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 13 – Jun 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 13 – Jun 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 29 – Jun 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – May 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 19 – Jun 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jul 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jun 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 13 – Jun 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 27 – Jul 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 19 – Jul 4 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 18 – Oct 19 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 81334 is matched to the NOAA station Cortez Montezuma Co Ap, CO, 13.3 km away, at 5,914 ft elevation (45 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cortez Montezuma Co Ap, CO (used) | 5,914 ft | May 27 | Sep 28 |
| Cortez, CO | 6,167 ft | May 12 | Oct 7 |
| Cortez 8 Se, CO | 8,035 ft | May 6 | Oct 14 |
| Mesa Verde Np, CO | 7,142 ft | May 9 | Oct 14 |
Frost dates near Towaoc
- Cortez, CO 81321 · last May 12, first Oct 7
- Mesa Verde National Park, CO 81330 · last May 9, first Oct 14
- Montezuma Creek, UT 84534 · last May 2, first Oct 10
- Lewis, CO 81327 · last May 17, first Oct 9
- Dolores, CO 81323 · last May 9, first Oct 14
- Yellow Jacket, CO 81335 · last May 17, first Oct 9
- Mancos, CO 81328 · last Jun 4, first Sep 24
- Aneth, UT 84510 · last Apr 24, first Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Towaoc, CO?
- For ZIP code 81334, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 27, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Cortez Montezuma Co Ap, CO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 11.
- When is the first frost in Towaoc, CO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 28. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 17, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 81334?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 125 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.