Frost dates for 81414Cory, CO
The average last spring frost in Cory is May 1 and the average first fall frost is October 7, giving a typical growing season of about 159 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 1
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 7
- Growing season
- 159 days
Safer after May 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 186 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 1 · May 14 · May 29 | Sep 20 · Sep 30 · Oct 9 | 138 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 19 · May 1 · May 14 | Sep 26 · Oct 7 · Oct 19 | 159 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 5 · Apr 19 · May 3 | Oct 3 · Oct 16 · Oct 29 | 180 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Cory
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 31 – Jun 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jun 27 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 31 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 16 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jun 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 28 – Jun 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Jun 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – Jun 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 28 – Jul 13 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 27 – Oct 28 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 81414 is matched to the NOAA station Delta 3E, CO, 5.3 km away, at 5,027 ft elevation (167 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delta 3E, CO (used) | 5,027 ft | May 1 | Oct 7 |
| Cedaredge 3E, CO | 6,838 ft | May 3 | Oct 9 |
| Paonia 1Sw, CO | 5,581 ft | May 3 | Oct 12 |
| Montrose Rgnl Ap, CO | 5,759 ft | May 2 | Oct 8 |
Frost dates near Cory
- Austin, CO 81410 · last May 1, first Oct 7
- Eckert, CO 81418 · last May 3, first Oct 12
- Delta, CO 81416 · last May 1, first Oct 7
- Cedaredge, CO 81413 · last May 3, first Oct 9
- Lazear, CO 81420 · last May 3, first Oct 12
- Hotchkiss, CO 81419 · last May 3, first Oct 12
- Olathe, CO 81425 · last May 2, first Oct 8
- Crawford, CO 81415 · last Jun 20, first Sep 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Cory, CO?
- For ZIP code 81414, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Delta 3E, CO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 14.
- When is the first frost in Cory, CO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 7. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 26, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 81414?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 159 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.