Frost dates for 81522Gateway, CO
The average last spring frost in Gateway is April 20 and the average first fall frost is October 21, giving a typical growing season of about 182 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 20
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 21
- Growing season
- 182 days
Safer after May 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 171 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 19 · May 2 · May 17 | Sep 29 · Oct 9 · Oct 23 | 160 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 20 · May 5 | Oct 7 · Oct 21 · Nov 3 | 182 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 12 · Apr 1 · Apr 22 | Oct 18 · Nov 1 · Nov 13 | 209 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Gateway
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 20 – May 26 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jul 1 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 20 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 6 – May 5 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 11 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 20 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Aug 3 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jul 1 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 5 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 5 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 20 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 5 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Jun 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Sep 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Apr 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – Jun 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 27 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 11 – Nov 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 81522 is matched to the NOAA station Gateway 1Ene, CO, 1.4 km away, at 4,671 ft elevation (45 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gateway 1Ene, CO (used) | 4,671 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 21 |
| Glade Park 17W, CO | 6,323 ft | May 21 | Sep 26 |
| Dewey, UT | 4,120 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 9 |
| Paradox 2N, CO | 5,447 ft | May 11 | Oct 5 |
Frost dates near Gateway
- Paradox, CO 81429 · last May 11, first Oct 5
- Glade Park, CO 81523 · last May 21, first Sep 26
- Cisco, UT 84515 · last Apr 27, first Oct 9
- La Sal, UT 84530 · last May 17, first Oct 6
- Bedrock, CO 81411 · last May 17, first Oct 6
- Grand Junction, CO 81507 · last Apr 26, first Oct 16
- Moab, UT 84532 · last Apr 11, first Oct 23
- Fruita, CO 81521 · last Apr 27, first Oct 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Gateway, CO?
- For ZIP code 81522, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 20, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Gateway 1Ene, CO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 5.
- When is the first frost in Gateway, CO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 21. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 7, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 81522?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 182 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.