Frost Dates for Canon City, CO 81212
Last spring frost June 9 · First fall frost September 15 · 98 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 81212 has about 32,300 people.
Short season: 98 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans May 23–June 27 (35 days). Fall frost risk spans September 3–September 27 (24 days).
Frost probability for 81212
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | June 27 | June 9 | May 23 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 3 | September 15 | September 27 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at LAKE GEORGE 8 SW (40.6 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 98-day season in Canon City
In Canon City (98 frost-free days, a short season), 29 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 14 get two plantings, 5 need an indoor start, 7 don't reliably mature, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | May 5 | Jun 23–Jun 30 | 56 | no-fit: Needs 80 days; Canon City has 56 after Jun 23. | — |
| Pepper | Apr 28 | Jun 23–Jun 30 | 56 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 23, the outdoor season is about 19 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 14 | May 12–May 19 | 133 | two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 25 |
| Carrots | — | May 19–May 26 | 140 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 140 available after May 19. | Jul 14 |
| Cucumber | May 19 | Jun 23–Jun 30 | 70 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 70 available after Jun 23. | — |
| Beans | — | Jun 16–Jun 30 | 84 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 84 available after Jun 16. | Jun 26 |
| Peas | — | Apr 14–Jun 23 | 161 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 14. | Jul 5 |
| Zucchini | May 26 | Jun 23–Jun 30 | 70 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 70 available after Jun 23. | Jun 24 |
| Onion | Mar 17 | May 12–May 26 | 133 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 133 available after May 12. | — |
| Spinach | — | Apr 14–Jun 2 | 175 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 6. | Aug 13 |
| Kale | Mar 31 | May 12–May 26 | 147 | two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 29 |
| Broccoli | Apr 14 | May 12–May 26 | 133 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 133 available after May 12. | Jun 20 |
| Cabbage | Apr 14 | May 12–May 26 | 147 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 147 available after May 12. | Jul 14 |
| Radish | — | Apr 14–Jul 7 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Sep 22. | Aug 14 |
| Beets | — | Apr 14–Jul 7 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 15 |
| Potatoes | — | May 26–Jun 2 | 119 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 119 available after May 26. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 15 | 203 | overwinter: Plant Sep 15 to Oct 6; harvest the following summer. | Oct 6 |
| Strawberry | — | May 5–Jun 30 | 154 | perennial: A perennial: plant May 5; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | May 12 | Jun 16–Jun 23 | 70 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 16, the outdoor season is about 5 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Pumpkin | May 26 | Jun 23–Jun 23 | 63 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; Canon City has 63 after Jun 23. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 28 | Jun 2–Jun 16 | 112 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 112 available after Jun 2. | Jun 25 |
| Swiss Chard | Apr 14 | May 26–May 26 | 119 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 119 available after May 26. | Jul 15 |
| Arugula | — | Apr 14–Jul 7 | 175 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 6. | Aug 13 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Apr 14 | May 12–May 26 | 147 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 147 available after May 12. | Jun 14 |
| Butternut Squash | May 26 | Jun 23–Jun 30 | 63 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; Canon City has 63 after Jun 23. | — |
| Eggplant | Apr 21 | Jun 23–Jun 30 | 56 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 23, the outdoor season is about 14 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Okra | May 12 | Jun 16–Jun 23 | 77 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 77 available after Jun 16. | Jun 24 |
| Basil | May 5 | Jun 30–Jun 30 | 63 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 63 available after Jun 30. | — |
| Cilantro | — | May 12–Jun 2 | 133 | two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 20 |
| Parsley | Mar 31 | Jun 16–Jun 23 | 98 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 98 available after Jun 16. | Jun 30 |
| Celery | Mar 31 | Jun 16–Jun 30 | 98 | no-fit: Needs 120 days; Canon City has 98 after Jun 16. | — |
| Scallions | Mar 31 | May 12–May 26 | 147 | two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 24 |
| Turnip | — | May 12–May 26 | 147 | two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 6. | Aug 3 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 28–May 12 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 29 |
| Bok Choy | May 12 | Jun 2–Jun 9 | 112 | two-plantings: Plant Jun 2 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 25 |
| Collards | Mar 31 | May 12–May 26 | 147 | two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 24 |
| Cantaloupe | May 26 | Jun 23–Jun 30 | 56 | no-fit: Needs 85 days; Canon City has 56 after Jun 23. | — |
| Chives | Mar 17 | Jun 16–Jun 23 | 112 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 112 available after Jun 16. | — |
| Dill | — | Apr 14–Jul 7 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 15 |
| Oregano | Mar 31 | Jun 16–Jun 23 | 112 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 112 available after Jun 16. | — |
| Rosemary | Mar 17 | Jun 16–Jun 23 | 98 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 98 available after Jun 16. | — |
| Sage | Apr 14 | Jun 16–Jun 23 | 112 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 112 available after Jun 16. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 31 | Jun 16–Jun 23 | 112 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 112 available after Jun 16. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 28 | May 26–Jun 9 | 119 | two-plantings: Plant May 26 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 20 |
| Cosmos | May 12 | Jun 9–Jun 23 | 84 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 84 available after Jun 9. | Jun 19 |
| Lavender | Mar 17 | Jun 9–Jun 23 | 119 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 119 available after Jun 9. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 28 | Jun 9–Jun 16 | 84 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 84 available after Jun 9. | Jun 29 |
| Melons | May 26 | Jun 23–Jun 30 | 56 | no-fit: Needs 85 days; Canon City has 56 after Jun 23. | — |
| Mint | — | Jun 9–Jun 23 | 119 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 119 available after Jun 9. | — |
| Nasturtiums | May 12 | Jun 9–Jun 16 | 84 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 84 available after Jun 9. | Jun 24 |
| Pole Beans | — | Jun 16–Jun 30 | 77 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 77 available after Jun 16. | — |
| Spaghetti Squash | May 26 | Jun 23–Jun 30 | 63 | no-fit: Needs 90 days; Canon City has 63 after Jun 23. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | Jun 9–Jun 23 | 84 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 84 available after Jun 9. | — |
| Tomatillos | Apr 14 | Jun 16–Jun 23 | 63 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 16, the outdoor season is about 12 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Watermelon | May 26 | Jun 16–Jun 23 | 63 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 16, the outdoor season is about 17 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Yellow Squash | May 26 | Jun 23–Jun 30 | 70 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 70 available after Jun 23. | Jun 24 |
| Zinnias | May 12 | Jun 9–Jun 23 | 84 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 84 available after Jun 9. | Jun 19 |
Month by month in Canon City
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start the slowest-growing crops indoors: onions, leeks, and celery (10–12 weeks before last frost). |
| March | Start indoors: Chives (Mar 17), Lavender (Mar 17), Onion (Mar 17), Rosemary (Mar 17), Celery (Mar 31), Collards (Mar 31), +5 more. |
| April | Start indoors: Broccoli (Apr 14), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 14), Cabbage (Apr 14), Lettuce (Apr 14), Sage (Apr 14), Swiss Chard (Apr 14), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Apr 14), Beets (Apr 14), Dill (Apr 14), Peas (Apr 14), Radish (Apr 14), Spinach (Apr 14), +1 more. |
| May | Start indoors: Basil (May 5), Tomato (May 5), Bok Choy (May 12), Corn (May 12), Cosmos (May 12), Nasturtiums (May 12), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (May 12), Turnip (May 12), Carrots (May 19), Potatoes (May 26). Transplant from: Broccoli (May 12), Brussel Sprouts (May 12), Cabbage (May 12), Collards (May 12), Kale (May 12), Lettuce (May 12), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (May 5). |
| June | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Jun 9), Beans (Jun 16), Pole Beans (Jun 16). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Jun 2), Cauliflower (Jun 2), Cosmos (Jun 9), Lavender (Jun 9), Marigolds (Jun 9), Mint (Jun 9), +25 more. Last frost around June 9. Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Jun 14), Cosmos (Jun 19), Zinnias (Jun 19), Broccoli (Jun 20), Nasturtiums (Jun 24), Okra (Jun 24), +6 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Peas (Jul 5), Cabbage (Jul 14), Carrots (Jul 14), Beets (Jul 15), Dill (Jul 15), Swiss Chard (Jul 15), +8 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Aug 3), Arugula (Aug 13), Spinach (Aug 13), Radish (Aug 14). |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 15). First frost around September 15. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 6). |
| 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 Canon City, CO (ZIP 81212)?
The median last spring frost date for Canon City, CO (ZIP code 81212) is around June 9. 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 May 23; one in ten it runs past June 27.
What is the first fall frost date in Canon City, CO?
The median first fall frost date for Canon City, CO is around September 15. 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 3 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Canon City, CO?
The frost-free growing season in Canon City is about 98 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 Canon City (98 frost-free days, a short season), 29 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 14 get two plantings, 5 need an indoor start, 7 don't reliably mature, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Canon City, CO?
Canon City, 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 Canon City, CO?
Start tomatoes indoors May 5 and plant out Jun 23 in Canon City. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Canon City?
Two: plant May 12 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Sep 22.
When do I plant garlic in Canon City?
Sep 15 to Oct 6; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Celery in Canon City?
Not reliably outdoors. Needs 120 days; Canon City has 98 after Jun 16.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Pueblo (ZIP 81007) has 153 frost-free days, 55 more than Canon City (ZIP 81212). See Pueblo ZIP 81007 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Pueblo, CO 81007 (36.8 mi)
- Frost dates for Woodland Park, CO 80863 (38.6 mi)
- Frost dates for Pueblo, CO 81005 (38.8 mi)
- Frost dates for Colorado Springs, CO 80919 (39.6 mi)
- Frost dates for Colorado Springs, CO 80907 (39.9 mi)
- When to plant in CO
- When to plant Beans in CO
- When to plant Strawberries in CO
- When to plant Beets in CO
- When to plant Broccoli in CO
- When to plant Carrots in CO
- When to plant Kale in CO
- Look up another ZIP