Frost Dates for Fruita, CO 81521
Last spring frost May 6 · First fall frost October 12 · 159 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7a
ZIP 81521 has about 16,600 people.
Moderate season: 159 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 16–May 26 (40 days). Fall frost risk spans September 27–October 27 (30 days).
Frost probability for 81521
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 26 | May 6 | April 16 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 27 | October 12 | October 27 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at COLORADO NM (10.4 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 159-day season in Fruita
In Fruita (159 frost-free days, a moderate season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 23 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 1 | May 20–May 27 | 117 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 117 available after May 20. | Jun 12 |
| Pepper | Mar 25 | May 20–May 27 | 117 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 117 available after May 20. | Jun 17 |
| Lettuce | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 21 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 201 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 15. | Aug 10 |
| Cucumber | Apr 15 | May 20–May 27 | 131 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 131 available after May 20. | Jul 16 |
| Beans | — | May 13–May 27 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 23 |
| Peas | — | Mar 11–May 20 | 222 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 222 available after Mar 11. | Aug 1 |
| Zucchini | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 131 | two-plantings: Plant May 20 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 21 |
| Onion | Feb 11 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 194 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 8. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 11–Apr 29 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 2. | Sep 9 |
| Kale | Feb 25 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Broccoli | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 194 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 8. | Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 208 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 8. | Aug 10 |
| Radish | — | Mar 11–Jun 3 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Oct 19. | Sep 10 |
| Beets | — | Mar 11–Jun 3 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 180 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 22. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 12 | 264 | overwinter: Plant Oct 12 to Nov 2; harvest the following summer. | Nov 2 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 1–May 27 | 215 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 1; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 8 | May 13–May 20 | 131 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 131 available after May 13. | Jun 24 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 22 | May 20–May 20 | 124 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 124 available after May 20. | May 30 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 25 | Apr 29–May 13 | 173 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 29. | Jul 22 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 11 | Apr 22–Apr 22 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 11–Jun 3 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 2. | Sep 9 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 208 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 8. | Jul 11 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 124 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 124 available after May 20. | May 30 |
| Eggplant | Mar 18 | May 20–May 27 | 117 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 117 available after May 20. | Jun 22 |
| Okra | Apr 8 | May 13–May 20 | 138 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 21 |
| Basil | Apr 1 | May 27–May 27 | 124 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 124 available after May 27. | Jul 16 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 8–Apr 29 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 16 |
| Parsley | Feb 25 | May 13–May 20 | 159 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 159 available after May 13. | Jul 27 |
| Celery | Feb 25 | May 13–May 27 | 159 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 159 available after May 13. | Jun 7 |
| Scallions | Feb 25 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 20 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 30 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 8 | Apr 29–May 6 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 21 |
| Collards | Feb 25 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 20 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 117 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 117 available after May 20. | Jun 7 |
| Chives | Feb 11 | May 13–May 20 | 173 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 173 available after May 13. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 11–Jun 3 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Oregano | Feb 25 | May 13–May 20 | 173 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 173 available after May 13. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 11 | May 13–May 20 | 159 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 159 available after May 13. | — |
| Sage | Mar 11 | May 13–May 20 | 173 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 173 available after May 13. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 25 | May 13–May 20 | 173 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 173 available after May 13. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 25 | Apr 22–May 6 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 16 |
| Cosmos | Apr 8 | May 6–May 20 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 16 |
| Lavender | Feb 11 | May 6–May 20 | 180 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 180 available after May 6. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 25 | May 6–May 13 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 26 |
| Melons | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 117 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 117 available after May 20. | Jun 7 |
| Mint | — | May 6–May 20 | 180 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 180 available after May 6. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 8 | May 6–May 13 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 21 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 13–May 27 | 138 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 138 available after May 13. | Jul 11 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 124 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 124 available after May 20. | Jun 9 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 6–May 20 | 145 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 145 available after May 6. | Jul 6 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 11 | May 13–May 20 | 124 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 124 available after May 13. | Jun 17 |
| Watermelon | Apr 22 | May 13–May 20 | 124 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 124 available after May 13. | Jun 12 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 131 | two-plantings: Plant May 20 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 21 |
| Zinnias | Apr 8 | May 6–May 20 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 16 |
Month by month in Fruita
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 11), Lavender (Feb 11), Onion (Feb 11), Rosemary (Feb 11), Celery (Feb 25), Collards (Feb 25), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 11), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 11), Cabbage (Mar 11), Lettuce (Mar 11), Sage (Mar 11), Swiss Chard (Mar 11), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 11), Beets (Mar 11), Dill (Mar 11), Peas (Mar 11), Radish (Mar 11), Spinach (Mar 11), +1 more. |
| April | Start indoors: Basil (Apr 1), Tomato (Apr 1), Bok Choy (Apr 8), Corn (Apr 8), Cosmos (Apr 8), Nasturtiums (Apr 8), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 8), Turnip (Apr 8), Carrots (Apr 15), Potatoes (Apr 22). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 8), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 8), Cabbage (Apr 8), Collards (Apr 8), Kale (Apr 8), Lettuce (Apr 8), +6 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 1). |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 6), Beans (May 13), Pole Beans (May 13). Transplant from: Cosmos (May 6), Lavender (May 6), Marigolds (May 6), Mint (May 6), Nasturtiums (May 6), Zinnias (May 6), +23 more. Last frost around May 6. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 30), Pumpkin (May 30). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 7), Celery (Jun 7), Melons (Jun 7), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 9), Tomato (Jun 12), Watermelon (Jun 12), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 6), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 11), Pole Beans (Jul 11), Basil (Jul 16), Cosmos (Jul 16), Cucumber (Jul 16), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Peas (Aug 1), Cabbage (Aug 10), Carrots (Aug 10), Beets (Aug 11), Dill (Aug 11), Swiss Chard (Aug 11), +9 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 9), Spinach (Sep 9), Radish (Sep 10). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 12). First frost around October 12. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 2). |
| 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 Fruita, CO (ZIP 81521)?
The median last spring frost date for Fruita, CO (ZIP code 81521) is around May 6. 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 April 16; one in ten it runs past May 26.
What is the first fall frost date in Fruita, CO?
The median first fall frost date for Fruita, CO is around October 12. 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 27 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Fruita, CO?
The frost-free growing season in Fruita is about 159 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 Fruita (159 frost-free days, a moderate season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 23 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Fruita, CO?
Fruita, 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 Fruita, CO?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 1 and plant out May 20 in Fruita. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Fruita?
Two: plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 19.
When do I plant garlic in Fruita?
Oct 12 to Nov 2; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Grand Junction (ZIP 81501) has 168 frost-free days, 9 more than Fruita (ZIP 81521). See Grand Junction ZIP 81501 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Grand Junction, CO 81505 (14 mi)
- Frost dates for Grand Junction, CO 81501 (16.7 mi)
- Frost dates for Grand Junction, CO 81504 (19 mi)
- Frost dates for Clifton, CO 81520 (22.2 mi)
- Frost dates for Delta, CO 81416 (47 mi)
- When to plant in CO
- When to plant Peppers in CO
- When to plant Cucumbers in CO
- When to plant Zucchini in CO
- When to plant Butternut Squash in CO
- When to plant Basil in CO
- When to plant Sweet Corn in CO
- Look up another ZIP