Frost dates for 81423Norwood, CO
The average last spring frost in Norwood is May 25 and the average first fall frost is October 1, giving a typical growing season of about 128 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 25
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 1
- Growing season
- 128 days
Safer after Jun 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 205 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 21 · Jun 6 · Jun 23 | Sep 8 · Sep 24 · Oct 5 | 107 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 7 · May 25 · Jun 13 | Sep 14 · Oct 1 · Oct 14 | 128 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 25 · May 11 · Jun 2 | Sep 22 · Oct 8 · Oct 23 | 150 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Norwood
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 24 – Jun 30 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 10 – Jun 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 11 – Jun 9 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 24 – Jun 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 25 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jun 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 17 – Jul 10 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jun 9 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jun 24 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 9 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 11 – Jun 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 11 – Jun 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jun 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 22 – Jun 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jul 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jun 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 11 – May 31 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 25 – Jul 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 22 – Jul 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 21 – Oct 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 81423 is matched to the NOAA station Norwood, CO, 2.4 km away, at 7,020 ft elevation (234 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norwood, CO (used) | 7,020 ft | May 25 | Oct 1 |
| Norwood #2, CO | 7,011 ft | May 21 | Oct 1 |
| Placerville, CO | 7,383 ft | May 26 | Sep 29 |
| Telluride 4Wnw, CO | 8,646 ft | — | — |
Frost dates near Norwood
- Redvale, CO 81431 · last May 25, first Oct 1
- Placerville, CO 81430 · last May 26, first Sep 29
- Naturita, CO 81422 · last Apr 26, first Oct 18
- Nucla, CO 81424 · last Apr 26, first Oct 18
- Montrose, CO 81403 · last Jun 11, first Sep 13
- Telluride, CO 81435 · last —, first —
- Ridgway, CO 81432 · last Jun 11, first Sep 13
- Ophir, CO 81426 · last —, first —
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Norwood, CO?
- For ZIP code 81423, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 25, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Norwood, CO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 13.
- When is the first frost in Norwood, CO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 81423?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 128 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.