Frost Dates for Gunnison, CO 81230
Last spring frost June 27 · First fall frost August 31 · 65 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5b
ZIP 81230 has about 11,000 people.
Short season: 65 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans June 8–July 14 (36 days). Fall frost risk spans August 13–September 19 (37 days).
Frost probability for 81230
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | July 14 | June 27 | June 8 |
| Fall (first frost) | August 13 | August 31 | September 19 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at GUNNISON 3SW (13.2 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 65-day season in Gunnison
In Gunnison (65 frost-free days, a short season), 17 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 7 get two plantings, 13 need an indoor start, 4 need a faster variety, 14 don't reliably mature, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | May 23 | Jul 11–Jul 18 | 23 | no-fit: Needs 80 days; Gunnison has 23 after Jul 11. | — |
| Pepper | May 16 | Jul 11–Jul 18 | 23 | no-fit: Needs 75 days; Gunnison has 23 after Jul 11. | — |
| Lettuce | May 2 | May 30–Jun 6 | 100 | fits: 45 days to maturity, 100 available after May 30. | Jul 10 |
| Carrots | — | Jun 6–Jun 13 | 107 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 107 available after Jun 6. | Jun 29 |
| Cucumber | Jun 6 | Jul 11–Jul 18 | 37 | no-fit: Needs 60 days; Gunnison has 37 after Jul 11. | — |
| Beans | — | Jul 4–Jul 18 | 51 | tight: Direct-sow only; pick a variety under 51 days. | — |
| Peas | — | May 2–Jul 11 | 128 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 128 available after May 2. | Jun 20 |
| Zucchini | Jun 13 | Jul 11–Jul 18 | 37 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 11, the outdoor season is about 18 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Onion | Apr 4 | May 30–Jun 13 | 100 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 100 available after May 30. | — |
| Spinach | — | May 2–Jun 20 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 29 |
| Kale | Apr 18 | May 30–Jun 13 | 114 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 114 available after May 30. | Jul 14 |
| Broccoli | May 2 | May 30–Jun 13 | 100 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 100 available after May 30. | Jun 5 |
| Cabbage | May 2 | May 30–Jun 13 | 114 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 114 available after May 30. | Jun 29 |
| Radish | — | May 2–Jul 25 | 128 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Sep 7. | Jul 30 |
| Beets | — | May 2–Jul 25 | 128 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jun 30; both mature before Sep 7. | Jun 30 |
| Potatoes | — | Jun 13–Jun 20 | 86 | tight: Direct-sow only; pick a variety under 86 days. | — |
| Garlic | — | Aug 31 | 170 | overwinter: Plant Aug 31 to Sep 21; harvest the following summer. | Sep 21 |
| Strawberry | — | May 23–Jul 18 | 121 | perennial: A perennial: plant May 23; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | May 30 | Jul 4–Jul 11 | 37 | no-fit: Needs 75 days; Gunnison has 37 after Jul 4. | — |
| Pumpkin | Jun 13 | Jul 11–Jul 11 | 30 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; Gunnison has 30 after Jul 11. | — |
| Cauliflower | May 16 | Jun 20–Jul 4 | 79 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 79 available after Jun 20. | — |
| Swiss Chard | May 2 | Jun 13–Jun 13 | 86 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 86 available after Jun 13. | Jun 30 |
| Arugula | — | May 2–Jul 25 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 29 |
| Brussel Sprouts | May 2 | May 30–Jun 13 | 114 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 114 available after May 30. | — |
| Butternut Squash | Jun 13 | Jul 11–Jul 18 | 30 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; Gunnison has 30 after Jul 11. | — |
| Eggplant | May 9 | Jul 11–Jul 18 | 23 | no-fit: Needs 70 days; Gunnison has 23 after Jul 11. | — |
| Okra | May 30 | Jul 4–Jul 11 | 44 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 4, the outdoor season is about 11 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Basil | May 23 | Jul 18–Jul 18 | 30 | no-fit: Needs 60 days; Gunnison has 30 after Jul 18. | — |
| Cilantro | — | May 30–Jun 20 | 100 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 100 available after May 30. | Jul 5 |
| Parsley | Apr 18 | Jul 4–Jul 11 | 65 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 4, the outdoor season is about 5 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Celery | Apr 18 | Jul 4–Jul 18 | 65 | no-fit: Needs 120 days; Gunnison has 65 after Jul 4. | — |
| Scallions | Apr 18 | May 30–Jun 13 | 114 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 114 available after May 30. | Jul 9 |
| Turnip | — | May 30–Jun 13 | 114 | two-plantings: Plant May 30 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 19 |
| Kohlrabi | — | May 16–May 30 | 128 | two-plantings: Plant May 16 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 14 |
| Bok Choy | May 30 | Jun 20–Jun 27 | 79 | fits: 45 days to maturity, 79 available after Jun 20. | Jul 10 |
| Collards | Apr 18 | May 30–Jun 13 | 114 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 114 available after May 30. | Jul 9 |
| Cantaloupe | Jun 13 | Jul 11–Jul 18 | 23 | no-fit: Needs 85 days; Gunnison has 23 after Jul 11. | — |
| Chives | Apr 4 | Jul 4–Jul 11 | 79 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 4, the outdoor season is about 11 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Dill | — | May 2–Jul 25 | 128 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jun 30; both mature before Sep 7. | Jun 30 |
| Oregano | Apr 18 | Jul 4–Jul 11 | 79 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 4, the outdoor season is about 1 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Rosemary | Apr 4 | Jul 4–Jul 11 | 65 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 4, the outdoor season is about 15 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Sage | May 2 | Jul 4–Jul 11 | 79 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 79 available after Jul 4. | — |
| Thyme | Apr 18 | Jul 4–Jul 11 | 79 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 4, the outdoor season is about 11 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Calendula | May 16 | Jun 13–Jun 27 | 86 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 86 available after Jun 13. | Jul 5 |
| Cosmos | May 30 | Jun 27–Jul 11 | 51 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 27, the outdoor season is about 9 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Lavender | Apr 4 | Jun 27–Jul 11 | 86 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 27, the outdoor season is about 4 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Marigolds | May 16 | Jun 27–Jul 4 | 51 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 51 available after Jun 27. | — |
| Melons | Jun 13 | Jul 11–Jul 18 | 23 | no-fit: Needs 85 days; Gunnison has 23 after Jul 11. | — |
| Mint | — | Jun 27–Jul 11 | 86 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 27, the outdoor season is about 4 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Nasturtiums | May 30 | Jun 27–Jul 4 | 51 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 27, the outdoor season is about 4 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Pole Beans | — | Jul 4–Jul 18 | 44 | tight: Direct-sow only; pick a variety under 44 days. | — |
| Spaghetti Squash | Jun 13 | Jul 11–Jul 18 | 30 | no-fit: Needs 90 days; Gunnison has 30 after Jul 11. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | Jun 27–Jul 11 | 51 | tight: Direct-sow only; pick a variety under 51 days. | — |
| Tomatillos | May 2 | Jul 4–Jul 11 | 30 | no-fit: Needs 75 days; Gunnison has 30 after Jul 4. | — |
| Watermelon | Jun 13 | Jul 4–Jul 11 | 30 | no-fit: Needs 80 days; Gunnison has 30 after Jul 4. | — |
| Yellow Squash | Jun 13 | Jul 11–Jul 18 | 37 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 11, the outdoor season is about 18 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Zinnias | May 30 | Jun 27–Jul 11 | 51 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 27, the outdoor season is about 9 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
Month by month in Gunnison
| 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 4), Lavender (Apr 4), Onion (Apr 4), Rosemary (Apr 4), Celery (Apr 18), Collards (Apr 18), +5 more. |
| May | Start indoors: Broccoli (May 2), Brussel Sprouts (May 2), Cabbage (May 2), Lettuce (May 2), Sage (May 2), Swiss Chard (May 2), +14 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (May 2), Beets (May 2), Dill (May 2), Peas (May 2), Radish (May 2), Spinach (May 2), +3 more. Transplant from: Broccoli (May 30), Brussel Sprouts (May 30), Cabbage (May 30), Collards (May 30), Kale (May 30), Lettuce (May 30), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (May 23). |
| June | Start indoors: Cucumber (Jun 6), Butternut Squash (Jun 13), Cantaloupe (Jun 13), Melons (Jun 13), Pumpkin (Jun 13), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 13), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Jun 6), Potatoes (Jun 13), Sunflowers (Jun 27). Transplant from: Calendula (Jun 13), Swiss Chard (Jun 13), Bok Choy (Jun 20), Cauliflower (Jun 20), Cosmos (Jun 27), Lavender (Jun 27), +4 more. Last frost around June 27. Last sowing dates: Broccoli (Jun 5), Peas (Jun 20), Cabbage (Jun 29), Carrots (Jun 29), Beets (Jun 30), Dill (Jun 30), +1 more. |
| July | Direct sow from: Beans (Jul 4), Pole Beans (Jul 4). Transplant from: Celery (Jul 4), Chives (Jul 4), Corn (Jul 4), Okra (Jul 4), Oregano (Jul 4), Parsley (Jul 4), +17 more. Last sowing dates: Calendula (Jul 5), Cilantro (Jul 5), Collards (Jul 9), Scallions (Jul 9), Bok Choy (Jul 10), Lettuce (Jul 10), +6 more. |
| August | Direct sow from: Garlic (Aug 31). First frost around August 31. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Sep 21). |
| 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 Gunnison, CO (ZIP 81230)?
The median last spring frost date for Gunnison, CO (ZIP code 81230) is around June 27. 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 8; one in ten it runs past July 14.
What is the first fall frost date in Gunnison, CO?
The median first fall frost date for Gunnison, CO is around August 31. 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 13 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Gunnison, CO?
The frost-free growing season in Gunnison is about 65 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 Gunnison (65 frost-free days, a short season), 17 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 7 get two plantings, 13 need an indoor start, 4 need a faster variety, 14 don't reliably mature, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Gunnison, CO?
Gunnison, CO is in USDA hardiness zone 5b (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 Gunnison, CO?
Start tomatoes indoors May 23 and plant out Jul 11 in Gunnison. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Gunnison?
One spring planting around May 30. The last sow date is Jul 10.
When do I plant garlic in Gunnison?
Aug 31 to Sep 21; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Celery in Gunnison?
Not reliably outdoors. Needs 120 days; Gunnison has 65 after Jul 4.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Montrose (ZIP 81401) has 146 frost-free days, 81 more than Gunnison (ZIP 81230). See Montrose ZIP 81401 frost dates
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