Frost dates for 81401Montrose, CO
The average last spring frost in Montrose is April 28 and the average first fall frost is October 14, giving a typical growing season of about 167 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 28
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 14
- Growing season
- 167 days
Safer after May 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 176 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) | Apr 28 · May 11 · May 23 | Sep 22 · Oct 3 · Oct 17 | 145 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 13 · Apr 28 · May 12 | Oct 1 · Oct 14 · Oct 27 | 167 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 29 · Apr 14 · Apr 30 | Oct 10 · Oct 24 · Nov 7 | 191 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Montrose
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 | Mar 28 – Jun 3 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 24 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 4 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 28 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jul 27 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 24 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 13 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 13 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 28 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jun 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Jun 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Sep 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jun 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 20 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 4 – Nov 4 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 81401 is matched to the NOAA station Montrose #2, CO, 2 km away, at 5,789 ft elevation (31 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montrose #2, CO (used) | 5,789 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 14 |
| Montrose Rgnl Ap, CO | 5,759 ft | May 2 | Oct 8 |
| Montrose 11 Ene, CO | 8,402 ft | May 20 | Oct 1 |
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison, CO | 8,151 ft | May 23 | Oct 1 |
Frost dates near Montrose
- Montrose, CO 81402 · last Apr 28, first Oct 14
- Olathe, CO 81425 · last May 2, first Oct 8
- Delta, CO 81416 · last May 1, first Oct 7
- Crawford, CO 81415 · last Jun 20, first Sep 10
- Cimarron, CO 81220 · last Jun 9, first Sep 16
- Lazear, CO 81420 · last May 3, first Oct 12
- Cory, CO 81414 · last May 1, first Oct 7
- Austin, CO 81410 · last May 1, first Oct 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Montrose, CO?
- For ZIP code 81401, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Montrose #2, CO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 12.
- When is the first frost in Montrose, 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 81401?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 167 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.