Frost Dates for Colorado Springs, CO 80917
Last spring frost May 22 · First fall frost September 24 · 125 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 80917 has about 30,400 people, one of 31 ZIP codes in Colorado Springs.
Moderate season: 125 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans May 3–June 11 (39 days). Fall frost risk spans September 12–October 7 (25 days).
Frost probability for 80917
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | June 11 | May 22 | May 3 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 12 | September 24 | October 7 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at CASTLE ROCK (60.0 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 125-day season in Colorado Springs
In Colorado Springs (125 frost-free days, a moderate season), 36 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 15 get two plantings, 4 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 17 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 83 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 83 available after Jun 5. | — |
| Pepper | Apr 10 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 83 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 83 available after Jun 5. | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 1 | 160 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 1. | Aug 3 |
| Carrots | — | May 1–May 8 | 167 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 167 available after May 1. | Jul 23 |
| Cucumber | May 1 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 97 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 97 available after Jun 5. | Jun 28 |
| Beans | — | May 29–Jun 12 | 111 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 111 available after May 29. | Jul 5 |
| Peas | — | Mar 27–Jun 5 | 188 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 188 available after Mar 27. | Jul 14 |
| Zucchini | May 8 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 97 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 97 available after Jun 5. | Jul 3 |
| Onion | Feb 27 | Apr 24–May 8 | 160 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 160 available after Apr 24. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 27–May 15 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 22 |
| Kale | Mar 13 | Apr 24–May 8 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Broccoli | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 8 | 160 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 160 available after Apr 24. | Jun 29 |
| Cabbage | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 8 | 174 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 24. | Jul 23 |
| Radish | — | Mar 27–Jun 19 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 1. | Aug 23 |
| Beets | — | Mar 27–Jun 19 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Potatoes | — | May 8–May 15 | 146 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 146 available after May 8. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 24 | 230 | overwinter: Plant Sep 24 to Oct 15; harvest the following summer. | Oct 15 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 17–Jun 12 | 181 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 17; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 24 | May 29–Jun 5 | 97 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 97 available after May 29. | Jun 6 |
| Pumpkin | May 8 | Jun 5–Jun 5 | 90 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 5, the outdoor season is about 10 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 10 | May 15–May 29 | 139 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 139 available after May 15. | Jul 4 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 27 | May 8–May 8 | 146 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 27–Jun 19 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 22 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 8 | 174 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 24. | Jun 23 |
| Butternut Squash | May 8 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 90 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 5, the outdoor season is about 10 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Eggplant | Apr 3 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 83 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 83 available after Jun 5. | — |
| Okra | Apr 24 | May 29–Jun 5 | 104 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 104 available after May 29. | Jul 3 |
| Basil | Apr 17 | Jun 12–Jun 12 | 90 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 90 available after Jun 12. | Jun 28 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 24–May 15 | 160 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 29 |
| Parsley | Mar 13 | May 29–Jun 5 | 125 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 125 available after May 29. | Jul 9 |
| Celery | Mar 13 | May 29–Jun 12 | 125 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 125 available after May 29. | — |
| Scallions | Mar 13 | Apr 24–May 8 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 2 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 24–May 8 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 12 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 24 | May 15–May 22 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 15 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 1. | Aug 3 |
| Collards | Mar 13 | Apr 24–May 8 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 2 |
| Cantaloupe | May 8 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 83 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 5, the outdoor season is about 2 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Chives | Feb 27 | May 29–Jun 5 | 139 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 139 available after May 29. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 27–Jun 19 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Oregano | Mar 13 | May 29–Jun 5 | 139 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 139 available after May 29. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 27 | May 29–Jun 5 | 125 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 125 available after May 29. | — |
| Sage | Mar 27 | May 29–Jun 5 | 139 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 139 available after May 29. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 13 | May 29–Jun 5 | 139 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 139 available after May 29. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 10 | May 8–May 22 | 146 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 29 |
| Cosmos | Apr 24 | May 22–Jun 5 | 111 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 111 available after May 22. | Jun 28 |
| Lavender | Feb 27 | May 22–Jun 5 | 146 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 146 available after May 22. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 10 | May 22–May 29 | 111 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 111 available after May 22. | Jul 8 |
| Melons | May 8 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 83 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 5, the outdoor season is about 2 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Mint | — | May 22–Jun 5 | 146 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 146 available after May 22. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 24 | May 22–May 29 | 111 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 111 available after May 22. | Jul 3 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 29–Jun 12 | 104 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 104 available after May 29. | Jun 23 |
| Spaghetti Squash | May 8 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 90 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 90 available after Jun 5. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | May 22–Jun 5 | 111 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 111 available after May 22. | Jun 18 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 27 | May 29–Jun 5 | 90 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 90 available after May 29. | May 30 |
| Watermelon | May 8 | May 29–Jun 5 | 90 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 90 available after May 29. | — |
| Yellow Squash | May 8 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 97 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 97 available after Jun 5. | Jul 3 |
| Zinnias | Apr 24 | May 22–Jun 5 | 111 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 111 available after May 22. | Jun 28 |
Month by month in Colorado Springs
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 27), Lavender (Feb 27), Onion (Feb 27), Rosemary (Feb 27). |
| March | Start indoors: Celery (Mar 13), Collards (Mar 13), Kale (Mar 13), Oregano (Mar 13), Parsley (Mar 13), Scallions (Mar 13), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 27), Beets (Mar 27), Dill (Mar 27), Peas (Mar 27), Radish (Mar 27), Spinach (Mar 27). |
| April | Start indoors: Eggplant (Apr 3), Calendula (Apr 10), Cauliflower (Apr 10), Marigolds (Apr 10), Pepper (Apr 10), Basil (Apr 17), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Apr 10), Cilantro (Apr 24), Turnip (Apr 24). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 24), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 24), Cabbage (Apr 24), Collards (Apr 24), Kale (Apr 24), Lettuce (Apr 24), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 17). |
| May | Start indoors: Cucumber (May 1), Butternut Squash (May 8), Cantaloupe (May 8), Melons (May 8), Pumpkin (May 8), Spaghetti Squash (May 8), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (May 1), Potatoes (May 8), Sunflowers (May 22), Beans (May 29), Pole Beans (May 29). Transplant from: Calendula (May 8), Swiss Chard (May 8), Bok Choy (May 15), Cauliflower (May 15), Cosmos (May 22), Lavender (May 22), +15 more. Last frost around May 22. Last sowing dates: Tomatillos (May 30). |
| June | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (Jun 5), Cantaloupe (Jun 5), Cucumber (Jun 5), Eggplant (Jun 5), Melons (Jun 5), Pepper (Jun 5), +6 more. Last sowing dates: Corn (Jun 6), Sunflowers (Jun 18), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 23), Pole Beans (Jun 23), Basil (Jun 28), Cosmos (Jun 28), +3 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Nasturtiums (Jul 3), Okra (Jul 3), Yellow Squash (Jul 3), Zucchini (Jul 3), Cauliflower (Jul 4), Beans (Jul 5), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Collards (Aug 2), Scallions (Aug 2), Bok Choy (Aug 3), Lettuce (Aug 3), Kale (Aug 7), Kohlrabi (Aug 7), +4 more. |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 24). First frost around September 24. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 15). |
| 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 Colorado Springs, CO (ZIP 80917)?
The median last spring frost date for Colorado Springs, CO (ZIP code 80917) is around May 22. 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 3; one in ten it runs past June 11.
What is the first fall frost date in Colorado Springs, CO?
The median first fall frost date for Colorado Springs, CO is around September 24. 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 12 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Colorado Springs, CO?
The frost-free growing season in Colorado Springs is about 125 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 Colorado Springs (125 frost-free days, a moderate season), 36 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 15 get two plantings, 4 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Colorado Springs, CO?
Colorado Springs, 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 Colorado Springs, CO?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 17 and plant out Jun 5 in Colorado Springs. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Colorado Springs?
Two: plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 1.
When do I plant garlic in Colorado Springs?
Sep 24 to Oct 15; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Butternut Squash in Colorado Springs?
Yes, with help. Even planted out Jun 5, the outdoor season is about 10 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.
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