Frost Dates for Durango, CO 81303
Durango has 2 ZIP codes. The Durango, CO frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost June 10 · First fall frost September 19 · 101 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6b
ZIP 81303 has about 10,200 people, one of 2 ZIP codes in Durango.
Short season: 101 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans May 25–June 25 (31 days). Fall frost risk spans September 7–October 2 (25 days).
Frost probability for 81303
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | June 25 | June 10 | May 25 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 7 | September 19 | October 2 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at VALLECITO DAM (37.1 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 101-day season in Durango
In Durango (101 frost-free days, a short season), 29 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 14 get two plantings, 7 need an indoor start, 5 don't reliably mature, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | May 6 | Jun 24–Jul 1 | 59 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 24, the outdoor season is about 21 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Pepper | Apr 29 | Jun 24–Jul 1 | 59 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 24, the outdoor season is about 16 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 136 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 29 |
| Carrots | — | May 20–May 27 | 143 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 143 available after May 20. | Jul 18 |
| Cucumber | May 20 | Jun 24–Jul 1 | 73 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 73 available after Jun 24. | — |
| Beans | — | Jun 17–Jul 1 | 87 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 87 available after Jun 17. | Jun 30 |
| Peas | — | Apr 15–Jun 24 | 164 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 164 available after Apr 15. | Jul 9 |
| Zucchini | May 27 | Jun 24–Jul 1 | 73 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 73 available after Jun 24. | Jun 28 |
| Onion | Mar 18 | May 13–May 27 | 136 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 136 available after May 13. | — |
| Spinach | — | Apr 15–Jun 3 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 17 |
| Kale | Apr 1 | May 13–May 27 | 150 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 2 |
| Broccoli | Apr 15 | May 13–May 27 | 136 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 136 available after May 13. | Jun 24 |
| Cabbage | Apr 15 | May 13–May 27 | 150 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 150 available after May 13. | Jul 18 |
| Radish | — | Apr 15–Jul 8 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Sep 26. | Aug 18 |
| Beets | — | Apr 15–Jul 8 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 19 |
| Potatoes | — | May 27–Jun 3 | 122 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 122 available after May 27. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 19 | 206 | overwinter: Plant Sep 19 to Oct 10; harvest the following summer. | Oct 10 |
| Strawberry | — | May 6–Jul 1 | 157 | perennial: A perennial: plant May 6; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | May 13 | Jun 17–Jun 24 | 73 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 17, the outdoor season is about 2 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Pumpkin | May 27 | Jun 24–Jun 24 | 66 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; Durango has 66 after Jun 24. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 29 | Jun 3–Jun 17 | 115 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 115 available after Jun 3. | Jun 29 |
| Swiss Chard | Apr 15 | May 27–May 27 | 122 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 122 available after May 27. | Jul 19 |
| Arugula | — | Apr 15–Jul 8 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 17 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Apr 15 | May 13–May 27 | 150 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 150 available after May 13. | Jun 18 |
| Butternut Squash | May 27 | Jun 24–Jul 1 | 66 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; Durango has 66 after Jun 24. | — |
| Eggplant | Apr 22 | Jun 24–Jul 1 | 59 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 24, the outdoor season is about 11 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Okra | May 13 | Jun 17–Jun 24 | 80 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 80 available after Jun 17. | Jun 28 |
| Basil | May 6 | Jul 1–Jul 1 | 66 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 66 available after Jul 1. | — |
| Cilantro | — | May 13–Jun 3 | 136 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 24 |
| Parsley | Apr 1 | Jun 17–Jun 24 | 101 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 101 available after Jun 17. | Jul 4 |
| Celery | Apr 1 | Jun 17–Jul 1 | 101 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 17, the outdoor season is about 19 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Scallions | Apr 1 | May 13–May 27 | 150 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 10. | Jul 28 |
| Turnip | — | May 13–May 27 | 150 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 7 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 29–May 13 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 2 |
| Bok Choy | May 13 | Jun 3–Jun 10 | 115 | two-plantings: Plant Jun 3 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 29 |
| Collards | Apr 1 | May 13–May 27 | 150 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 10. | Jul 28 |
| Cantaloupe | May 27 | Jun 24–Jul 1 | 59 | no-fit: Needs 85 days; Durango has 59 after Jun 24. | — |
| Chives | Mar 18 | Jun 17–Jun 24 | 115 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 115 available after Jun 17. | — |
| Dill | — | Apr 15–Jul 8 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 19 |
| Oregano | Apr 1 | Jun 17–Jun 24 | 115 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 115 available after Jun 17. | — |
| Rosemary | Mar 18 | Jun 17–Jun 24 | 101 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 101 available after Jun 17. | — |
| Sage | Apr 15 | Jun 17–Jun 24 | 115 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 115 available after Jun 17. | — |
| Thyme | Apr 1 | Jun 17–Jun 24 | 115 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 115 available after Jun 17. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 29 | May 27–Jun 10 | 122 | two-plantings: Plant May 27 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 24 |
| Cosmos | May 13 | Jun 10–Jun 24 | 87 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 87 available after Jun 10. | Jun 23 |
| Lavender | Mar 18 | Jun 10–Jun 24 | 122 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 122 available after Jun 10. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 29 | Jun 10–Jun 17 | 87 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 87 available after Jun 10. | Jul 3 |
| Melons | May 27 | Jun 24–Jul 1 | 59 | no-fit: Needs 85 days; Durango has 59 after Jun 24. | — |
| Mint | — | Jun 10–Jun 24 | 122 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 122 available after Jun 10. | — |
| Nasturtiums | May 13 | Jun 10–Jun 17 | 87 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 87 available after Jun 10. | Jun 28 |
| Pole Beans | — | Jun 17–Jul 1 | 80 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 80 available after Jun 17. | Jun 18 |
| Spaghetti Squash | May 27 | Jun 24–Jul 1 | 66 | no-fit: Needs 90 days; Durango has 66 after Jun 24. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | Jun 10–Jun 24 | 87 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 87 available after Jun 10. | Jun 13 |
| Tomatillos | Apr 15 | Jun 17–Jun 24 | 66 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 17, the outdoor season is about 9 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Watermelon | May 27 | Jun 17–Jun 24 | 66 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 17, the outdoor season is about 14 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Yellow Squash | May 27 | Jun 24–Jul 1 | 73 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 73 available after Jun 24. | Jun 28 |
| Zinnias | May 13 | Jun 10–Jun 24 | 87 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 87 available after Jun 10. | Jun 23 |
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 | Start indoors: Chives (Mar 18), Lavender (Mar 18), Onion (Mar 18), Rosemary (Mar 18). |
| April | Start indoors: Celery (Apr 1), Collards (Apr 1), Kale (Apr 1), Oregano (Apr 1), Parsley (Apr 1), Scallions (Apr 1), +13 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Apr 15), Beets (Apr 15), Dill (Apr 15), Peas (Apr 15), Radish (Apr 15), Spinach (Apr 15), +1 more. |
| May | Start indoors: Basil (May 6), Tomato (May 6), Bok Choy (May 13), Corn (May 13), Cosmos (May 13), Nasturtiums (May 13), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (May 13), Turnip (May 13), Carrots (May 20), Potatoes (May 27). Transplant from: Broccoli (May 13), Brussel Sprouts (May 13), Cabbage (May 13), Collards (May 13), Kale (May 13), Lettuce (May 13), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (May 6). |
| June | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Jun 10), Beans (Jun 17), Pole Beans (Jun 17). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Jun 3), Cauliflower (Jun 3), Cosmos (Jun 10), Lavender (Jun 10), Marigolds (Jun 10), Mint (Jun 10), +24 more. Last frost around June 10. Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jun 13), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 18), Pole Beans (Jun 18), Cosmos (Jun 23), Zinnias (Jun 23), Broccoli (Jun 24), +6 more. |
| July | Transplant from: Basil (Jul 1). Last sowing dates: Marigolds (Jul 3), Parsley (Jul 4), Peas (Jul 9), Cabbage (Jul 18), Carrots (Jul 18), Beets (Jul 19), +8 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Kale (Aug 2), Kohlrabi (Aug 2), Turnip (Aug 7), Arugula (Aug 17), Spinach (Aug 17), Radish (Aug 18). |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 19). First frost around September 19. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 10). |
| 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 81303)?
The median last spring frost date for Durango, CO (ZIP code 81303) is around June 10. 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 25; one in ten it runs past June 25.
What is the first fall frost date in Durango, CO?
The median first fall frost date for Durango, CO is around September 19. 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 7 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 101 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 (101 frost-free days, a short season), 29 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 14 get two plantings, 7 need an indoor start, 5 don't reliably mature, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Durango, CO?
Durango, CO is in USDA hardiness zone 6b (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 6 and plant out Jun 24 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?
Two: plant May 13 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Sep 26.
When do I plant garlic in Durango?
Sep 19 to Oct 10; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Celery in Durango?
Yes, with help. Even planted out Jun 17, the outdoor season is about 19 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Aztec (ZIP 87410) has 132 frost-free days, 31 more than Durango (ZIP 81303). See Aztec ZIP 87410 frost dates
Nearby and related
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