Frost dates for 81641Meeker, CO
The average last spring frost in Meeker is June 4 and the average first fall frost is September 16, giving a typical growing season of about 104 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Jun 4
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 16
- Growing season
- 104 days
Safer after Jun 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 220 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) | — | — | 75 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 21 · Jun 4 · Jun 23 | Sep 3 · Sep 16 · Oct 1 | 104 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | May 4 · May 21 · Jun 7 | Sep 11 · Sep 27 · Oct 11 | 128 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Meeker
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 | May 4 – Jul 10 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 20 – May 27 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jul 4 – Aug 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 21 – Jun 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jul 4 – Aug 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jul 4 – Jun 6 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 20 – Aug 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jul 4 – Aug 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 20 – Jun 29 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 20 – May 27 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jul 4 – Aug 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 27 – Jul 20 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jul 4 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 21 – Jun 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 21 – Jun 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 17 – May 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jun 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 7 – Jun 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jul 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – Jun 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Aug 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 21 – Jun 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 30 – Jul 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jun 4 – Jul 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 7 – Jun 22 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 6 – Oct 7 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 81641 is matched to the NOAA station Meeker, CO, 1.2 km away, at 6,229 ft elevation (34 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meeker, CO (used) | 6,229 ft | Jun 4 | Sep 16 |
| Meeker Ap, CO | 6,390 ft | May 30 | Sep 22 |
| Craig 4Sw, CO | 6,496 ft | May 29 | Sep 20 |
| Rifle 3Ene, CO | 5,469 ft | May 23 | Sep 25 |
Frost dates near Meeker
- Hamilton, CO 81638 · last May 29, first Sep 20
- Rifle, CO 81650 · last May 11, first Oct 4
- Dinosaur, CO 81633 · last May 10, first Oct 4
- New Castle, CO 81647 · last May 11, first Oct 4
- Craig, CO 81626 · last Jun 6, first Sep 12
- Silt, CO 81652 · last May 11, first Oct 4
- Parachute, CO 81635 · last May 11, first Oct 4
- Battlement Mesa, CO 81636 · last May 11, first Oct 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Meeker, CO?
- For ZIP code 81641, the average last spring frost (32°F) is June 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Meeker, CO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 23.
- When is the first frost in Meeker, CO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 16. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 3, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 81641?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 104 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.