Frost dates for 81526Palisade, CO
The average last spring frost in Palisade is April 17 and the average first fall frost is October 26, giving a typical growing season of about 190 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 17
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 26
- Growing season
- 190 days
Safer after May 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 165 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 16 · Apr 30 · May 15 | Oct 3 · Oct 16 · Oct 28 | 166 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 27 · Apr 17 · May 3 | Oct 12 · Oct 26 · Nov 10 | 190 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 7 · Apr 1 · Apr 20 | Oct 20 · Nov 5 · Nov 20 | 218 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Palisade
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 17 – May 23 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 3 – Jul 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 17 – Apr 17 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – May 2 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jun 17 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Aug 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jul 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 2 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 17 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 2 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Jun 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Apr 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – Jun 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 16 – Nov 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 81526 is matched to the NOAA station Palisade, CO, 1.9 km away, at 4,751 ft elevation (43 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palisade, CO (used) | 4,751 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 26 |
| 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 Palisade
- Clifton, CO 81520 · last Apr 23, first Oct 20
- Grand Junction, CO 81503 · last Apr 23, first Oct 20
- Whitewater, CO 81527 · last Apr 23, first Oct 20
- Mesa, CO 81643 · last May 17, first Sep 30
- De Beque, CO 81630 · last Apr 17, first Oct 26
- Molina, CO 81646 · last May 17, first Sep 30
- Fruita, CO 81521 · last Apr 27, first Oct 11
- Glade Park, CO 81523 · last May 21, first Sep 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Palisade, CO?
- For ZIP code 81526, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 17, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Palisade, CO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 3.
- When is the first frost in Palisade, CO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 26. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 12, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 81526?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 190 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.