Frost dates for 81653Slater, CO
The average last spring frost in Slater is June 1 and the average first fall frost is September 18, giving a typical growing season of about 108 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Jun 1
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 18
- Growing season
- 108 days
Safer after Jun 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 217 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) | Jun 2 · Jun 17 · Jul 2 | Aug 21 · Sep 6 · Sep 18 | 80 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 15 · Jun 1 · Jun 18 | Sep 4 · Sep 18 · Oct 1 | 108 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 30 · May 13 · May 31 | Sep 15 · Sep 28 · Oct 12 | 137 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Slater
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 1 – Jul 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 17 – May 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jul 1 – Aug 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 18 – Jun 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jul 1 – Aug 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jul 1 – Jun 8 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 17 – Aug 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jul 1 – Aug 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 17 – Jul 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 17 – May 29 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jul 1 – Aug 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 24 – Jul 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – Jun 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | May 1 – Jul 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 16 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 18 – Jun 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 18 – Jun 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 19 – May 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jun 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 9 – Jun 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – Jul 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jun 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – Jun 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Aug 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 18 – Jun 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jun 1 – Jul 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 9 – Jun 24 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 8 – Oct 9 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 81653 is matched to the NOAA station Baggs, WY, 27.1 km away, at 6,319 ft elevation (246 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baggs, WY (used) | 6,319 ft | Jun 1 | Sep 18 |
| Hayden, CO | 6,467 ft | Jun 1 | Sep 20 |
| Craig Moffat Co Ap, CO | 6,186 ft | Jun 6 | Sep 12 |
| Craig 4Sw, CO | 6,496 ft | May 29 | Sep 20 |
Frost dates near Slater
- Savery, WY 82332 · last Jun 1, first Sep 18
- Dixon, WY 82323 · last Jun 1, first Sep 18
- Baggs, WY 82321 · last Jun 1, first Sep 18
- Clark, CO 80428 · last Jun 9, first Sep 12
- Encampment, WY 82325 · last May 28, first Sep 13
- Steamboat Springs, CO 80487 · last Jun 9, first Sep 12
- Craig, CO 81625 · last Jun 6, first Sep 12
- Hayden, CO 81639 · last Jun 1, first Sep 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Slater, CO?
- For ZIP code 81653, the average last spring frost (32°F) is June 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Baggs, WY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 18.
- When is the first frost in Slater, CO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 18. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 4, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 81653?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 108 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.