Frost Dates for Aurora, CO 80017
Aurora has 11 ZIP codes. The Aurora, CO frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost May 17 · First fall frost September 27 · 133 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 80017 has about 40,600 people, one of 11 ZIP codes in Aurora.
Moderate season: 133 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 30–June 2 (33 days). Fall frost risk spans September 15–October 9 (24 days).
Frost probability for 80017
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | June 2 | May 17 | April 30 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 15 | September 27 | October 9 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at CHERRY CREEK DAM (9.5 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 133-day season in Aurora
In Aurora (133 frost-free days, a moderate season), 37 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 16 get two plantings, 2 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 12 | May 31–Jun 7 | 91 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 91 available after May 31. | — |
| Pepper | Apr 5 | May 31–Jun 7 | 91 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 91 available after May 31. | Jun 2 |
| Lettuce | Mar 22 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 168 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 4. | Aug 6 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 26–May 3 | 175 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 26. | Jul 26 |
| Cucumber | Apr 26 | May 31–Jun 7 | 105 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 105 available after May 31. | Jul 1 |
| Beans | — | May 24–Jun 7 | 119 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 119 available after May 24. | Jul 8 |
| Peas | — | Mar 22–May 31 | 196 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 196 available after Mar 22. | Jul 17 |
| Zucchini | May 3 | May 31–Jun 7 | 105 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 105 available after May 31. | Jul 6 |
| Onion | Feb 22 | Apr 19–May 3 | 168 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 19. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 22–May 10 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 25 |
| Kale | Mar 8 | Apr 19–May 3 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 10 |
| Broccoli | Mar 22 | Apr 19–May 3 | 168 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 19. | Jul 2 |
| Cabbage | Mar 22 | Apr 19–May 3 | 182 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 19. | Jul 26 |
| Radish | — | Mar 22–Jun 14 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 4. | Aug 26 |
| Beets | — | Mar 22–Jun 14 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 27 |
| Potatoes | — | May 3–May 10 | 154 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 154 available after May 3. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 27 | 238 | overwinter: Plant Sep 27 to Oct 18; harvest the following summer. | Oct 18 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 12–Jun 7 | 189 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 12; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 19 | May 24–May 31 | 105 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 105 available after May 24. | Jun 9 |
| Pumpkin | May 3 | May 31–May 31 | 98 | head-start: Even planted out May 31, the outdoor season is about 2 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 5 | May 10–May 24 | 147 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 147 available after May 10. | Jul 7 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 22 | May 3–May 3 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 27 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 22–Jun 14 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 25 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 22 | Apr 19–May 3 | 182 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 19. | Jun 26 |
| Butternut Squash | May 3 | May 31–Jun 7 | 98 | head-start: Even planted out May 31, the outdoor season is about 2 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 29 | May 31–Jun 7 | 91 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 91 available after May 31. | Jun 7 |
| Okra | Apr 19 | May 24–May 31 | 112 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 112 available after May 24. | Jul 6 |
| Basil | Apr 12 | Jun 7–Jun 7 | 98 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 98 available after Jun 7. | Jul 1 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 19–May 10 | 168 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 4. | Aug 1 |
| Parsley | Mar 8 | May 24–May 31 | 133 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 133 available after May 24. | Jul 12 |
| Celery | Mar 8 | May 24–Jun 7 | 133 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 133 available after May 24. | — |
| Scallions | Mar 8 | Apr 19–May 3 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 5 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 19–May 3 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 15 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 10 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 19 | May 10–May 17 | 147 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 4. | Aug 6 |
| Collards | Mar 8 | Apr 19–May 3 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 5 |
| Cantaloupe | May 3 | May 31–Jun 7 | 91 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 91 available after May 31. | — |
| Chives | Feb 22 | May 24–May 31 | 147 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 147 available after May 24. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 22–Jun 14 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 27 |
| Oregano | Mar 8 | May 24–May 31 | 147 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 147 available after May 24. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 22 | May 24–May 31 | 133 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 133 available after May 24. | — |
| Sage | Mar 22 | May 24–May 31 | 147 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 147 available after May 24. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 8 | May 24–May 31 | 147 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 147 available after May 24. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 5 | May 3–May 17 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 4. | Aug 1 |
| Cosmos | Apr 19 | May 17–May 31 | 119 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 119 available after May 17. | Jul 1 |
| Lavender | Feb 22 | May 17–May 31 | 154 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 154 available after May 17. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 5 | May 17–May 24 | 119 | two-plantings: Plant May 17 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 13. | Jul 11 |
| Melons | May 3 | May 31–Jun 7 | 91 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 91 available after May 31. | — |
| Mint | — | May 17–May 31 | 154 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 154 available after May 17. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 19 | May 17–May 24 | 119 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 119 available after May 17. | Jul 6 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 24–Jun 7 | 112 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 112 available after May 24. | Jun 26 |
| Spaghetti Squash | May 3 | May 31–Jun 7 | 98 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 98 available after May 31. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | May 17–May 31 | 119 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 119 available after May 17. | Jun 21 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 22 | May 24–May 31 | 98 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 98 available after May 24. | Jun 2 |
| Watermelon | May 3 | May 24–May 31 | 98 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 98 available after May 24. | May 28 |
| Yellow Squash | May 3 | May 31–Jun 7 | 105 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 105 available after May 31. | Jul 6 |
| Zinnias | Apr 19 | May 17–May 31 | 119 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 119 available after May 17. | Jul 1 |
Month by month in Aurora
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 22), Lavender (Feb 22), Onion (Feb 22), Rosemary (Feb 22). |
| March | Start indoors: Celery (Mar 8), Collards (Mar 8), Kale (Mar 8), Oregano (Mar 8), Parsley (Mar 8), Scallions (Mar 8), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 22), Beets (Mar 22), Dill (Mar 22), Peas (Mar 22), Radish (Mar 22), Spinach (Mar 22). |
| April | Start indoors: Calendula (Apr 5), Cauliflower (Apr 5), Marigolds (Apr 5), Pepper (Apr 5), Basil (Apr 12), Tomato (Apr 12), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Apr 5), Cilantro (Apr 19), Turnip (Apr 19), Carrots (Apr 26). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 19), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 19), Cabbage (Apr 19), Collards (Apr 19), Kale (Apr 19), Lettuce (Apr 19), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 12). |
| May | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (May 3), Cantaloupe (May 3), Melons (May 3), Pumpkin (May 3), Spaghetti Squash (May 3), Watermelon (May 3), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (May 3), Sunflowers (May 17), Beans (May 24), Pole Beans (May 24). Transplant from: Calendula (May 3), Swiss Chard (May 3), Bok Choy (May 10), Cauliflower (May 10), Cosmos (May 17), Lavender (May 17), +26 more. Last frost around May 17. Last sowing dates: Watermelon (May 28). |
| June | Transplant from: Basil (Jun 7). Last sowing dates: Pepper (Jun 2), Tomatillos (Jun 2), Eggplant (Jun 7), Corn (Jun 9), Sunflowers (Jun 21), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 26), +1 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Basil (Jul 1), Cosmos (Jul 1), Cucumber (Jul 1), Zinnias (Jul 1), Broccoli (Jul 2), Nasturtiums (Jul 6), +13 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Aug 1), Cilantro (Aug 1), Collards (Aug 5), Scallions (Aug 5), Bok Choy (Aug 6), Lettuce (Aug 6), +6 more. |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 27). First frost around September 27. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 18). |
| November | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Aurora, CO (ZIP 80017)?
The median last spring frost date for Aurora, CO (ZIP code 80017) is around May 17. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before April 30; one in ten it runs past June 2.
What is the first fall frost date in Aurora, CO?
The median first fall frost date for Aurora, CO is around September 27. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around September 15 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Aurora, CO?
The frost-free growing season in Aurora is about 133 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Aurora (133 frost-free days, a moderate season), 37 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 16 get two plantings, 2 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Aurora, CO?
Aurora, CO is in USDA hardiness zone 6a (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Aurora, CO?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 12 and plant out May 31 in Aurora. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Aurora?
Two: plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 4.
When do I plant garlic in Aurora?
Sep 27 to Oct 18; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Butternut Squash in Aurora?
Yes, with help. Even planted out May 31, the outdoor season is about 2 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Aurora (ZIP 80019) has 145 frost-free days, 12 more than Aurora (ZIP 80017). See Aurora ZIP 80019 frost dates
Nearby and related
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