Frost Dates for Durango, CO 81301
Last spring frost July 3 · First fall frost August 27 · 55 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 81301 has about 29,800 people, the largest of 2 ZIP codes in Durango.
Short season: 55 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans June 13–July 23 (40 days). Fall frost risk spans August 4–September 19 (46 days).
Frost probability for 81301
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | July 23 | July 3 | June 13 |
| Fall (first frost) | August 4 | August 27 | September 19 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at RICO (29.6 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Durango, CO
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 81301 | July 3 | August 27 | 6a |
| 81303 | June 10 | September 19 | 6b |
Which crops fit a 55-day season in Durango
In Durango (55 frost-free days, a short season), 17 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 3 get two plantings, 14 need an indoor start, 2 need a faster variety, 19 don't reliably mature, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | May 29 | Jul 17–Jul 24 | 13 | no-fit: Needs 80 days; Durango has 13 after Jul 17. | — |
| Pepper | May 22 | Jul 17–Jul 24 | 13 | no-fit: Needs 75 days; Durango has 13 after Jul 17. | — |
| Lettuce | May 8 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 90 | fits: 45 days to maturity, 90 available after Jun 5. | Jul 6 |
| Carrots | — | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 97 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 97 available after Jun 12. | Jun 25 |
| Cucumber | Jun 12 | Jul 17–Jul 24 | 27 | no-fit: Needs 60 days; Durango has 27 after Jul 17. | — |
| Beans | — | Jul 10–Jul 24 | 41 | tight: Direct-sow only; pick a variety under 41 days. | — |
| Peas | — | May 8–Jul 17 | 118 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 118 available after May 8. | Jun 16 |
| Zucchini | Jun 19 | Jul 17–Jul 24 | 27 | no-fit: Needs 55 days; Durango has 27 after Jul 17. | — |
| Onion | Apr 10 | Jun 5–Jun 19 | 90 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 5, the outdoor season is about 10 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Spinach | — | May 8–Jun 26 | 132 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Sep 17. | Jul 25 |
| Kale | Apr 24 | Jun 5–Jun 19 | 104 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 104 available after Jun 5. | Jul 10 |
| Broccoli | May 8 | Jun 5–Jun 19 | 90 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 90 available after Jun 5. | — |
| Cabbage | May 8 | Jun 5–Jun 19 | 104 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 104 available after Jun 5. | Jun 25 |
| Radish | — | May 8–Jul 31 | 118 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Sep 3. | Jul 26 |
| Beets | — | May 8–Jul 31 | 118 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 118 available after May 8. | Jun 26 |
| Potatoes | — | Jun 19–Jun 26 | 76 | tight: Direct-sow only; pick a variety under 76 days. | — |
| Garlic | — | Aug 27 | 160 | overwinter: Plant Aug 27 to Sep 17; harvest the following summer. | Sep 17 |
| Strawberry | — | May 29–Jul 24 | 111 | perennial: A perennial: plant May 29; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Jun 5 | Jul 10–Jul 17 | 27 | no-fit: Needs 75 days; Durango has 27 after Jul 10. | — |
| Pumpkin | Jun 19 | Jul 17–Jul 17 | 20 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; Durango has 20 after Jul 17. | — |
| Cauliflower | May 22 | Jun 26–Jul 10 | 69 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 26, the outdoor season is about 6 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Swiss Chard | May 8 | Jun 19–Jun 19 | 76 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 76 available after Jun 19. | Jun 26 |
| Arugula | — | May 8–Jul 31 | 132 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Sep 17. | Jul 25 |
| Brussel Sprouts | May 8 | Jun 5–Jun 19 | 104 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 104 available after Jun 5. | — |
| Butternut Squash | Jun 19 | Jul 17–Jul 24 | 20 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; Durango has 20 after Jul 17. | — |
| Eggplant | May 15 | Jul 17–Jul 24 | 13 | no-fit: Needs 70 days; Durango has 13 after Jul 17. | — |
| Okra | Jun 5 | Jul 10–Jul 17 | 34 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 10, the outdoor season is about 21 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Basil | May 29 | Jul 24–Jul 24 | 20 | no-fit: Needs 60 days; Durango has 20 after Jul 24. | — |
| Cilantro | — | Jun 5–Jun 26 | 90 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 90 available after Jun 5. | Jul 1 |
| Parsley | Apr 24 | Jul 10–Jul 17 | 55 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 10, the outdoor season is about 15 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Celery | Apr 24 | Jul 10–Jul 24 | 55 | no-fit: Needs 120 days; Durango has 55 after Jul 10. | — |
| Scallions | Apr 24 | Jun 5–Jun 19 | 104 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 104 available after Jun 5. | Jul 5 |
| Turnip | — | Jun 5–Jun 19 | 104 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 104 available after Jun 5. | Jul 15 |
| Kohlrabi | — | May 22–Jun 5 | 118 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 118 available after May 22. | Jul 10 |
| Bok Choy | Jun 5 | Jun 26–Jul 3 | 69 | fits: 45 days to maturity, 69 available after Jun 26. | Jul 6 |
| Collards | Apr 24 | Jun 5–Jun 19 | 104 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 104 available after Jun 5. | Jul 5 |
| Cantaloupe | Jun 19 | Jul 17–Jul 24 | 13 | no-fit: Needs 85 days; Durango has 13 after Jul 17. | — |
| Chives | Apr 10 | Jul 10–Jul 17 | 69 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 10, the outdoor season is about 21 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Dill | — | May 8–Jul 31 | 118 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 118 available after May 8. | Jun 26 |
| Oregano | Apr 24 | Jul 10–Jul 17 | 69 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 10, the outdoor season is about 11 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Rosemary | Apr 10 | Jul 10–Jul 17 | 55 | no-fit: Needs 80 days; Durango has 55 after Jul 10. | — |
| Sage | May 8 | Jul 10–Jul 17 | 69 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 10, the outdoor season is about 6 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Thyme | Apr 24 | Jul 10–Jul 17 | 69 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 10, the outdoor season is about 21 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Calendula | May 22 | Jun 19–Jul 3 | 76 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 76 available after Jun 19. | Jul 1 |
| Cosmos | Jun 5 | Jul 3–Jul 17 | 41 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 3, the outdoor season is about 19 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Lavender | Apr 10 | Jul 3–Jul 17 | 76 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 3, the outdoor season is about 14 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Marigolds | May 22 | Jul 3–Jul 10 | 41 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 3, the outdoor season is about 9 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Melons | Jun 19 | Jul 17–Jul 24 | 13 | no-fit: Needs 85 days; Durango has 13 after Jul 17. | — |
| Mint | — | Jul 3–Jul 17 | 76 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 3, the outdoor season is about 14 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Jun 5 | Jul 3–Jul 10 | 41 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 3, the outdoor season is about 14 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Pole Beans | — | Jul 10–Jul 24 | 34 | no-fit: Needs 65 days; Durango has 34 after Jul 10. | — |
| Spaghetti Squash | Jun 19 | Jul 17–Jul 24 | 20 | no-fit: Needs 90 days; Durango has 20 after Jul 17. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | Jul 3–Jul 17 | 41 | no-fit: Needs 70 days; Durango has 41 after Jul 3. | — |
| Tomatillos | May 8 | Jul 10–Jul 17 | 20 | no-fit: Needs 75 days; Durango has 20 after Jul 10. | — |
| Watermelon | Jun 19 | Jul 10–Jul 17 | 20 | no-fit: Needs 80 days; Durango has 20 after Jul 10. | — |
| Yellow Squash | Jun 19 | Jul 17–Jul 24 | 27 | no-fit: Needs 55 days; Durango has 27 after Jul 17. | — |
| Zinnias | Jun 5 | Jul 3–Jul 17 | 41 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 3, the outdoor season is about 19 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
Month by month in Durango
| 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 | Organize planting supplies and seed-starting mix. Check stored garden tools. |
| April | Start indoors: Chives (Apr 10), Lavender (Apr 10), Onion (Apr 10), Rosemary (Apr 10), Celery (Apr 24), Collards (Apr 24), +5 more. |
| May | Start indoors: Broccoli (May 8), Brussel Sprouts (May 8), Cabbage (May 8), Lettuce (May 8), Sage (May 8), Swiss Chard (May 8), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (May 8), Beets (May 8), Dill (May 8), Peas (May 8), Radish (May 8), Spinach (May 8), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (May 29). |
| June | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Jun 5), Corn (Jun 5), Cosmos (Jun 5), Nasturtiums (Jun 5), Okra (Jun 5), Zinnias (Jun 5), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Jun 5), Turnip (Jun 5), Carrots (Jun 12), Potatoes (Jun 19). Transplant from: Broccoli (Jun 5), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 5), Cabbage (Jun 5), Collards (Jun 5), Kale (Jun 5), Lettuce (Jun 5), +6 more. Last sowing dates: Peas (Jun 16), Cabbage (Jun 25), Carrots (Jun 25), Beets (Jun 26), Dill (Jun 26), Swiss Chard (Jun 26). |
| July | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Jul 3), Beans (Jul 10), Pole Beans (Jul 10). Transplant from: Cosmos (Jul 3), Lavender (Jul 3), Marigolds (Jul 3), Mint (Jul 3), Nasturtiums (Jul 3), Zinnias (Jul 3), +23 more. Last frost around July 3. Last sowing dates: Calendula (Jul 1), Cilantro (Jul 1), Collards (Jul 5), Scallions (Jul 5), Bok Choy (Jul 6), Lettuce (Jul 6), +6 more. |
| August | Direct sow from: Garlic (Aug 27). First frost around August 27. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Sep 17). |
| October | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
| 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 Durango, CO (ZIP 81301)?
The median last spring frost date for Durango, CO (ZIP code 81301) is around July 3. 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 June 13; one in ten it runs past July 23.
What is the first fall frost date in Durango, CO?
The median first fall frost date for Durango, CO is around August 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 August 4 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Durango, CO?
The frost-free growing season in Durango is about 55 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 Durango (55 frost-free days, a short season), 17 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 3 get two plantings, 14 need an indoor start, 2 need a faster variety, 19 don't reliably mature, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Durango, CO?
Durango, 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 Durango, CO?
Start tomatoes indoors May 29 and plant out Jul 17 in Durango. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Durango?
One spring planting around Jun 5. The last sow date is Jul 6.
When do I plant garlic in Durango?
Aug 27 to Sep 17; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Celery in Durango?
Not reliably outdoors. Needs 120 days; Durango has 55 after Jul 10.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Pagosa Springs (ZIP 81147) has 67 frost-free days, 12 more than Durango (ZIP 81301). See Pagosa Springs ZIP 81147 frost dates
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