Frost dates for 81507Grand Junction, CO
The average last spring frost in Grand Junction is April 26 and the average first fall frost is October 16, giving a typical growing season of about 172 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 26
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 16
- Growing season
- 172 days
Safer after May 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 181 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 23 · May 7 · May 25 | Sep 22 · Oct 6 · Oct 21 | 150 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 26 · May 15 | Oct 1 · Oct 16 · Nov 3 | 172 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 20 · Apr 13 · May 2 | Oct 11 · Oct 29 · Nov 15 | 197 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Grand Junction
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 26 – Jun 1 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jun 26 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 6 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jul 29 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 26 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 11 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 11 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 26 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 11 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jun 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Jun 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Sep 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 22 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 6 – Nov 6 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 81507 is matched to the NOAA station Colorado Nm, CO, 14.1 km away, at 5,781 ft elevation (387 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Nm, CO (used) | 5,781 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 16 |
| Grand Junction 6Ese, CO | 4,760 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 20 |
| Grand Junction Wfo, CO | 4,826 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 23 |
| Grand Junction Walker Fld, CO | 4,858 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 16 |
Frost dates near Grand Junction
- Grand Junction, CO 81501 · last Apr 23, first Oct 20
- Glade Park, CO 81523 · last May 21, first Sep 26
- Clifton, CO 81520 · last Apr 23, first Oct 20
- Fruita, CO 81521 · last Apr 27, first Oct 11
- Whitewater, CO 81527 · last Apr 23, first Oct 20
- Palisade, CO 81526 · last Apr 17, first Oct 26
- Loma, CO 81524 · last Apr 27, first Oct 11
- Mack, CO 81525 · last Apr 27, first Oct 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Grand Junction, CO?
- For ZIP code 81507, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Colorado Nm, CO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 15.
- When is the first frost in Grand Junction, CO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 16. 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 81507?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 172 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.