Frost dates for 81429Paradox, CO
The average last spring frost in Paradox is May 11 and the average first fall frost is October 5, giving a typical growing season of about 146 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 11
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 5
- Growing season
- 146 days
Safer after May 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 196 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 11 · May 26 · Jun 9 | Sep 16 · Sep 28 · Oct 8 | 125 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 29 · May 11 · May 29 | Sep 23 · Oct 5 · Oct 18 | 146 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 18 · Apr 30 · May 13 | Oct 2 · Oct 15 · Oct 28 | 167 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Paradox
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 10 – Jun 16 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 27 – May 26 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jun 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jul 11 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jul 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jun 26 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – Jun 10 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 26 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – May 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – May 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jun 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 26 – Jun 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – Jun 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – May 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 11 – Jun 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 26 – Jul 11 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 25 – Oct 26 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 81429 is matched to the NOAA station Paradox 2N, CO, 2.7 km away, at 5,447 ft elevation (125 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paradox 2N, CO (used) | 5,447 ft | May 11 | Oct 5 |
| Uravan, CO | 5,021 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 18 |
| La Sal 1Sw, UT | 6,787 ft | May 17 | Oct 6 |
| Gateway 1Ene, CO | 4,671 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 21 |
Frost dates near Paradox
- Bedrock, CO 81411 · last May 17, first Oct 6
- La Sal, UT 84530 · last May 17, first Oct 6
- Gateway, CO 81522 · last Apr 20, first Oct 21
- Nucla, CO 81424 · last Apr 26, first Oct 18
- Naturita, CO 81422 · last Apr 26, first Oct 18
- Egnar, CO 81325 · last Jun 3, first Sep 25
- Moab, UT 84532 · last Apr 11, first Oct 23
- Redvale, CO 81431 · last May 25, first Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Paradox, CO?
- For ZIP code 81429, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Paradox 2N, CO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 29.
- When is the first frost in Paradox, CO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 5. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 23, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 81429?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 146 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.