Frost Dates for Estes Park, CO 80517
Last spring frost June 25 · First fall frost August 28 · 64 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5a
ZIP 80517 has about 9,660 people.
Short season: 64 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans June 7–July 13 (36 days). Fall frost risk spans August 11–September 14 (34 days).
Frost probability for 80517
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | July 13 | June 25 | June 7 |
| Fall (first frost) | August 11 | August 28 | September 14 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at GRAND LAKE 6 SSW (32.0 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 64-day season in Estes Park
In Estes Park (64 frost-free days, a short season), 17 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 6 get two plantings, 14 need an indoor start, 3 need a faster variety, 15 don't reliably mature, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | May 21 | Jul 9–Jul 16 | 22 | no-fit: Needs 80 days; Estes Park has 22 after Jul 9. | — |
| Pepper | May 14 | Jul 9–Jul 16 | 22 | no-fit: Needs 75 days; Estes Park has 22 after Jul 9. | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 30 | May 28–Jun 4 | 99 | fits: 45 days to maturity, 99 available after May 28. | Jul 7 |
| Carrots | — | Jun 4–Jun 11 | 106 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 106 available after Jun 4. | Jun 26 |
| Cucumber | Jun 4 | Jul 9–Jul 16 | 36 | no-fit: Needs 60 days; Estes Park has 36 after Jul 9. | — |
| Beans | — | Jul 2–Jul 16 | 50 | tight: Direct-sow only; pick a variety under 50 days. | — |
| Peas | — | Apr 30–Jul 9 | 127 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 127 available after Apr 30. | Jun 17 |
| Zucchini | Jun 11 | Jul 9–Jul 16 | 36 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 9, the outdoor season is about 19 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Onion | Apr 2 | May 28–Jun 11 | 99 | head-start: Even planted out May 28, the outdoor season is about 1 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Spinach | — | Apr 30–Jun 18 | 141 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Sep 18. | Jul 26 |
| Kale | Apr 16 | May 28–Jun 11 | 113 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 113 available after May 28. | Jul 11 |
| Broccoli | Apr 30 | May 28–Jun 11 | 99 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 99 available after May 28. | Jun 2 |
| Cabbage | Apr 30 | May 28–Jun 11 | 113 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 113 available after May 28. | Jun 26 |
| Radish | — | Apr 30–Jul 23 | 127 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Sep 4. | Jul 27 |
| Beets | — | Apr 30–Jul 23 | 127 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jun 27; both mature before Sep 4. | Jun 27 |
| Potatoes | — | Jun 11–Jun 18 | 85 | tight: Direct-sow only; pick a variety under 85 days. | — |
| Garlic | — | Aug 28 | 169 | overwinter: Plant Aug 28 to Sep 18; harvest the following summer. | Sep 18 |
| Strawberry | — | May 21–Jul 16 | 120 | perennial: A perennial: plant May 21; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | May 28 | Jul 2–Jul 9 | 36 | no-fit: Needs 75 days; Estes Park has 36 after Jul 2. | — |
| Pumpkin | Jun 11 | Jul 9–Jul 9 | 29 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; Estes Park has 29 after Jul 9. | — |
| Cauliflower | May 14 | Jun 18–Jul 2 | 78 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 78 available after Jun 18. | — |
| Swiss Chard | Apr 30 | Jun 11–Jun 11 | 85 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 85 available after Jun 11. | Jun 27 |
| Arugula | — | Apr 30–Jul 23 | 141 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Sep 18. | Jul 26 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Apr 30 | May 28–Jun 11 | 113 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 113 available after May 28. | — |
| Butternut Squash | Jun 11 | Jul 9–Jul 16 | 29 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; Estes Park has 29 after Jul 9. | — |
| Eggplant | May 7 | Jul 9–Jul 16 | 22 | no-fit: Needs 70 days; Estes Park has 22 after Jul 9. | — |
| Okra | May 28 | Jul 2–Jul 9 | 43 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 2, the outdoor season is about 12 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Basil | May 21 | Jul 16–Jul 16 | 29 | no-fit: Needs 60 days; Estes Park has 29 after Jul 16. | — |
| Cilantro | — | May 28–Jun 18 | 99 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 99 available after May 28. | Jul 2 |
| Parsley | Apr 16 | Jul 2–Jul 9 | 64 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 2, the outdoor season is about 6 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Celery | Apr 16 | Jul 2–Jul 16 | 64 | no-fit: Needs 120 days; Estes Park has 64 after Jul 2. | — |
| Scallions | Apr 16 | May 28–Jun 11 | 113 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 113 available after May 28. | Jul 6 |
| Turnip | — | May 28–Jun 11 | 113 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 113 available after May 28. | Jul 16 |
| Kohlrabi | — | May 14–May 28 | 127 | two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 18. | Jul 11 |
| Bok Choy | May 28 | Jun 18–Jun 25 | 78 | fits: 45 days to maturity, 78 available after Jun 18. | Jul 7 |
| Collards | Apr 16 | May 28–Jun 11 | 113 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 113 available after May 28. | Jul 6 |
| Cantaloupe | Jun 11 | Jul 9–Jul 16 | 22 | no-fit: Needs 85 days; Estes Park has 22 after Jul 9. | — |
| Chives | Apr 2 | Jul 2–Jul 9 | 78 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 2, the outdoor season is about 12 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Dill | — | Apr 30–Jul 23 | 127 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jun 27; both mature before Sep 4. | Jun 27 |
| Oregano | Apr 16 | Jul 2–Jul 9 | 78 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 2, the outdoor season is about 2 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Rosemary | Apr 2 | Jul 2–Jul 9 | 64 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 2, the outdoor season is about 16 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Sage | Apr 30 | Jul 2–Jul 9 | 78 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 78 available after Jul 2. | — |
| Thyme | Apr 16 | Jul 2–Jul 9 | 78 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 2, the outdoor season is about 12 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Calendula | May 14 | Jun 11–Jun 25 | 85 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 85 available after Jun 11. | Jul 2 |
| Cosmos | May 28 | Jun 25–Jul 9 | 50 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 25, the outdoor season is about 10 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Lavender | Apr 2 | Jun 25–Jul 9 | 85 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 25, the outdoor season is about 5 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Marigolds | May 14 | Jun 25–Jul 2 | 50 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 50 available after Jun 25. | — |
| Melons | Jun 11 | Jul 9–Jul 16 | 22 | no-fit: Needs 85 days; Estes Park has 22 after Jul 9. | — |
| Mint | — | Jun 25–Jul 9 | 85 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 25, the outdoor season is about 5 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Nasturtiums | May 28 | Jun 25–Jul 2 | 50 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 25, the outdoor season is about 5 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Pole Beans | — | Jul 2–Jul 16 | 43 | no-fit: Needs 65 days; Estes Park has 43 after Jul 2. | — |
| Spaghetti Squash | Jun 11 | Jul 9–Jul 16 | 29 | no-fit: Needs 90 days; Estes Park has 29 after Jul 9. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | Jun 25–Jul 9 | 50 | tight: Direct-sow only; pick a variety under 50 days. | — |
| Tomatillos | Apr 30 | Jul 2–Jul 9 | 29 | no-fit: Needs 75 days; Estes Park has 29 after Jul 2. | — |
| Watermelon | Jun 11 | Jul 2–Jul 9 | 29 | no-fit: Needs 80 days; Estes Park has 29 after Jul 2. | — |
| Yellow Squash | Jun 11 | Jul 9–Jul 16 | 36 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 9, the outdoor season is about 19 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Zinnias | May 28 | Jun 25–Jul 9 | 50 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 25, the outdoor season is about 10 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
Month by month in Estes Park
| 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 2), Lavender (Apr 2), Onion (Apr 2), Rosemary (Apr 2), Celery (Apr 16), Collards (Apr 16), +12 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Apr 30), Beets (Apr 30), Dill (Apr 30), Peas (Apr 30), Radish (Apr 30), Spinach (Apr 30). |
| May | Start indoors: Eggplant (May 7), Calendula (May 14), Cauliflower (May 14), Marigolds (May 14), Pepper (May 14), Basil (May 21), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (May 14), Cilantro (May 28), Turnip (May 28). Transplant from: Broccoli (May 28), Brussel Sprouts (May 28), Cabbage (May 28), Collards (May 28), Kale (May 28), Lettuce (May 28), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (May 21). |
| June | Start indoors: Cucumber (Jun 4), Butternut Squash (Jun 11), Cantaloupe (Jun 11), Melons (Jun 11), Pumpkin (Jun 11), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 11), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Jun 4), Potatoes (Jun 11), Sunflowers (Jun 25). Transplant from: Calendula (Jun 11), Swiss Chard (Jun 11), Bok Choy (Jun 18), Cauliflower (Jun 18), Cosmos (Jun 25), Lavender (Jun 25), +4 more. Last frost around June 25. Last sowing dates: Broccoli (Jun 2), Peas (Jun 17), Cabbage (Jun 26), Carrots (Jun 26), Beets (Jun 27), Dill (Jun 27), +1 more. |
| July | Direct sow from: Beans (Jul 2), Pole Beans (Jul 2). Transplant from: Celery (Jul 2), Chives (Jul 2), Corn (Jul 2), Okra (Jul 2), Oregano (Jul 2), Parsley (Jul 2), +17 more. Last sowing dates: Calendula (Jul 2), Cilantro (Jul 2), Collards (Jul 6), Scallions (Jul 6), Bok Choy (Jul 7), Lettuce (Jul 7), +6 more. |
| August | Direct sow from: Garlic (Aug 28). First frost around August 28. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Sep 18). |
| 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 Estes Park, CO (ZIP 80517)?
The median last spring frost date for Estes Park, CO (ZIP code 80517) is around June 25. 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 7; one in ten it runs past July 13.
What is the first fall frost date in Estes Park, CO?
The median first fall frost date for Estes Park, CO is around August 28. 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 11 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Estes Park, CO?
The frost-free growing season in Estes Park is about 64 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 Estes Park (64 frost-free days, a short season), 17 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 6 get two plantings, 14 need an indoor start, 3 need a faster variety, 15 don't reliably mature, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Estes Park, CO?
Estes Park, CO is in USDA hardiness zone 5a (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 Estes Park, CO?
Start tomatoes indoors May 21 and plant out Jul 9 in Estes Park. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Estes Park?
One spring planting around May 28. The last sow date is Jul 7.
When do I plant garlic in Estes Park?
Aug 28 to Sep 18; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Celery in Estes Park?
Not reliably outdoors. Needs 120 days; Estes Park has 64 after Jul 2.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Loveland (ZIP 80537) has 146 frost-free days, 82 more than Estes Park (ZIP 80517). See Loveland ZIP 80537 frost dates
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