Frost Dates for Cortez, CO 81321
Last spring frost May 24 · First fall frost October 8 · 137 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7a
ZIP 81321 has about 14,200 people.
Moderate season: 137 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans May 8–June 9 (32 days). Fall frost risk spans September 21–October 23 (32 days).
Frost probability for 81321
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | June 9 | May 24 | May 8 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 21 | October 8 | October 23 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at YELLOW JACKET 2W (22.6 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 137-day season in Cortez
In Cortez (137 frost-free days, a moderate season), 39 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 16 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 19 | Jun 7–Jun 14 | 95 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 95 available after Jun 7. | Jun 8 |
| Pepper | Apr 12 | Jun 7–Jun 14 | 95 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 95 available after Jun 7. | Jun 13 |
| Lettuce | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 3 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 17 |
| Carrots | — | May 3–May 10 | 179 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 179 available after May 3. | Aug 6 |
| Cucumber | May 3 | Jun 7–Jun 14 | 109 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 109 available after Jun 7. | Jul 12 |
| Beans | — | May 31–Jun 14 | 123 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 123 available after May 31. | Jul 19 |
| Peas | — | Mar 29–Jun 7 | 200 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 200 available after Mar 29. | Jul 28 |
| Zucchini | May 10 | Jun 7–Jun 14 | 109 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 109 available after Jun 7. | Jul 17 |
| Onion | Mar 1 | Apr 26–May 10 | 172 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 29–May 17 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Oct 29. | Sep 5 |
| Kale | Mar 15 | Apr 26–May 10 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Broccoli | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 10 | 172 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 26. | Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 10 | 186 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 26. | Aug 6 |
| Radish | — | Mar 29–Jun 21 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Oct 15. | Sep 6 |
| Beets | — | Mar 29–Jun 21 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Potatoes | — | May 10–May 17 | 158 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 158 available after May 10. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 8 | 242 | overwinter: Plant Oct 8 to Oct 29; harvest the following summer. | Oct 29 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 19–Jun 14 | 193 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 19; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 26 | May 31–Jun 7 | 109 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 109 available after May 31. | Jun 20 |
| Pumpkin | May 10 | Jun 7–Jun 7 | 102 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 102 available after Jun 7. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 12 | May 17–May 31 | 151 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 151 available after May 17. | Jul 18 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 29 | May 10–May 10 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 29–Jun 21 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Oct 29. | Sep 5 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 10 | 186 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 26. | Jul 7 |
| Butternut Squash | May 10 | Jun 7–Jun 14 | 102 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 102 available after Jun 7. | — |
| Eggplant | Apr 5 | Jun 7–Jun 14 | 95 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 95 available after Jun 7. | Jun 18 |
| Okra | Apr 26 | May 31–Jun 7 | 116 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 116 available after May 31. | Jul 17 |
| Basil | Apr 19 | Jun 14–Jun 14 | 102 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 102 available after Jun 14. | Jul 12 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 26–May 17 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 12 |
| Parsley | Mar 15 | May 31–Jun 7 | 137 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 137 available after May 31. | Jul 23 |
| Celery | Mar 15 | May 31–Jun 14 | 137 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 137 available after May 31. | Jun 3 |
| Scallions | Mar 15 | Apr 26–May 10 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 16 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 26–May 10 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 26 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 26 | May 17–May 24 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant May 17 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 17 |
| Collards | Mar 15 | Apr 26–May 10 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 16 |
| Cantaloupe | May 10 | Jun 7–Jun 14 | 95 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 95 available after Jun 7. | — |
| Chives | Mar 1 | May 31–Jun 7 | 151 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 151 available after May 31. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 29–Jun 21 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Oregano | Mar 15 | May 31–Jun 7 | 151 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 151 available after May 31. | — |
| Rosemary | Mar 1 | May 31–Jun 7 | 137 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 137 available after May 31. | — |
| Sage | Mar 29 | May 31–Jun 7 | 151 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 151 available after May 31. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 15 | May 31–Jun 7 | 151 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 151 available after May 31. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 12 | May 10–May 24 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 12 |
| Cosmos | Apr 26 | May 24–Jun 7 | 123 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 123 available after May 24. | Jul 12 |
| Lavender | Mar 1 | May 24–Jun 7 | 158 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 158 available after May 24. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 12 | May 24–May 31 | 123 | two-plantings: Plant May 24 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 22 |
| Melons | May 10 | Jun 7–Jun 14 | 95 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 95 available after Jun 7. | — |
| Mint | — | May 24–Jun 7 | 158 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 158 available after May 24. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 26 | May 24–May 31 | 123 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 123 available after May 24. | Jul 17 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 31–Jun 14 | 116 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 116 available after May 31. | Jul 7 |
| Spaghetti Squash | May 10 | Jun 7–Jun 14 | 102 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 102 available after Jun 7. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | May 24–Jun 7 | 123 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 123 available after May 24. | Jul 2 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 29 | May 31–Jun 7 | 102 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 102 available after May 31. | Jun 13 |
| Watermelon | May 10 | May 31–Jun 7 | 102 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 102 available after May 31. | Jun 8 |
| Yellow Squash | May 10 | Jun 7–Jun 14 | 109 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 109 available after Jun 7. | Jul 17 |
| Zinnias | Apr 26 | May 24–Jun 7 | 123 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 123 available after May 24. | Jul 12 |
Month by month in Cortez
| 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 1), Lavender (Mar 1), Onion (Mar 1), Rosemary (Mar 1), Celery (Mar 15), Collards (Mar 15), +12 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 29), Beets (Mar 29), Dill (Mar 29), Peas (Mar 29), Radish (Mar 29), Spinach (Mar 29). |
| April | Start indoors: Eggplant (Apr 5), Calendula (Apr 12), Cauliflower (Apr 12), Marigolds (Apr 12), Pepper (Apr 12), Basil (Apr 19), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Apr 12), Cilantro (Apr 26), Turnip (Apr 26). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 26), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 26), Cabbage (Apr 26), Collards (Apr 26), Kale (Apr 26), Lettuce (Apr 26), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 19). |
| May | Start indoors: Cucumber (May 3), Butternut Squash (May 10), Cantaloupe (May 10), Melons (May 10), Pumpkin (May 10), Spaghetti Squash (May 10), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (May 3), Potatoes (May 10), Sunflowers (May 24), Beans (May 31), Pole Beans (May 31). Transplant from: Calendula (May 10), Swiss Chard (May 10), Bok Choy (May 17), Cauliflower (May 17), Cosmos (May 24), Lavender (May 24), +15 more. Last frost around May 24. |
| June | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (Jun 7), Cantaloupe (Jun 7), Cucumber (Jun 7), Eggplant (Jun 7), Melons (Jun 7), Pepper (Jun 7), +6 more. Last sowing dates: Celery (Jun 3), Tomato (Jun 8), Watermelon (Jun 8), Pepper (Jun 13), Tomatillos (Jun 13), Eggplant (Jun 18), +1 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 2), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 7), Pole Beans (Jul 7), Basil (Jul 12), Cosmos (Jul 12), Cucumber (Jul 12), +11 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 6), Carrots (Aug 6), Beets (Aug 7), Dill (Aug 7), Swiss Chard (Aug 7), Calendula (Aug 12), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 5), Spinach (Sep 5), Radish (Sep 6). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 8). First frost around October 8. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 29). |
| November | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
| 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 Cortez, CO (ZIP 81321)?
The median last spring frost date for Cortez, CO (ZIP code 81321) is around May 24. 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 8; one in ten it runs past June 9.
What is the first fall frost date in Cortez, CO?
The median first fall frost date for Cortez, CO is around October 8. 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 21 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Cortez, CO?
The frost-free growing season in Cortez is about 137 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 Cortez (137 frost-free days, a moderate season), 39 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 16 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Cortez, CO?
Cortez, CO is in USDA hardiness zone 7a (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 Cortez, CO?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 19 and plant out Jun 7 in Cortez. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Cortez?
Two: plant Apr 26 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 15.
When do I plant garlic in Cortez?
Oct 8 to Oct 29; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Shiprock (ZIP 87420) has 152 frost-free days, 15 more than Cortez (ZIP 81321). See Shiprock ZIP 87420 frost dates
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