Frost Dates for Littleton, CO 80130

Littleton has 10 ZIP codes. The Littleton, CO frost page lists all of them with their dates.

Last spring frost May 17 · First fall frost September 27 · 133 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a

ZIP 80130 has about 24,700 people, one of 10 ZIP codes in Littleton.

Moderate season: 133 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 30–June 2 (33 days). Fall frost risk spans September 15–October 9 (24 days).

Frost probability for 80130

Frost10%50%90%
Spring (last frost)June 2May 17April 30
Fall (first frost)September 15September 27October 9

Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at CHERRY CREEK DAM (13.4 km away); the 50% date is the median year.

Which crops fit a 133-day season in Littleton

In Littleton (133 frost-free days, a moderate season), 37 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 16 get two plantings, 2 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.

CropStart indoorsPlant out / sowDays you haveVerdictLast sow date
TomatoApr 12May 31–Jun 791fits: 80 days to maturity, 91 available after May 31.—
PepperApr 5May 31–Jun 791fits: 75 days to maturity, 91 available after May 31.Jun 2
LettuceMar 22Apr 19–Apr 26168two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 4.Aug 6
Carrots—Apr 26–May 3175fits: 70 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 26.Jul 26
CucumberApr 26May 31–Jun 7105fits: 60 days to maturity, 105 available after May 31.Jul 1
Beans—May 24–Jun 7119fits: 60 days to maturity, 119 available after May 24.Jul 8
Peas—Mar 22–May 31196fits: 65 days to maturity, 196 available after Mar 22.Jul 17
ZucchiniMay 3May 31–Jun 7105fits: 55 days to maturity, 105 available after May 31.Jul 6
OnionFeb 22Apr 19–May 3168fits: 100 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 19.—
Spinach—Mar 22–May 10210two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 18.Aug 25
KaleMar 8Apr 19–May 3182two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 18.Aug 10
BroccoliMar 22Apr 19–May 3168fits: 80 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 19.Jul 2
CabbageMar 22Apr 19–May 3182fits: 70 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 19.Jul 26
Radish—Mar 22–Jun 14196two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 4.Aug 26
Beets—Mar 22–Jun 14196two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 4.Jul 27
Potatoes—May 3–May 10154fits: 90 days to maturity, 154 available after May 3.—
Garlic—Sep 27238overwinter: Plant Sep 27 to Oct 18; harvest the following summer.Oct 18
Strawberry—Apr 12–Jun 7189perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 12; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years.—
CornApr 19May 24–May 31105fits: 75 days to maturity, 105 available after May 24.Jun 9
PumpkinMay 3May 31–May 3198head-start: Even planted out May 31, the outdoor season is about 2 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.—
CauliflowerApr 5May 10–May 24147fits: 75 days to maturity, 147 available after May 10.Jul 7
Swiss ChardMar 22May 3–May 3154two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 4.Jul 27
Arugula—Mar 22–Jun 14210two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 18.Aug 25
Brussel SproutsMar 22Apr 19–May 3182fits: 100 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 19.Jun 26
Butternut SquashMay 3May 31–Jun 798head-start: Even planted out May 31, the outdoor season is about 2 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.—
EggplantMar 29May 31–Jun 791fits: 70 days to maturity, 91 available after May 31.Jun 7
OkraApr 19May 24–May 31112fits: 55 days to maturity, 112 available after May 24.Jul 6
BasilApr 12Jun 7–Jun 798fits: 60 days to maturity, 98 available after Jun 7.Jul 1
Cilantro—Apr 19–May 10168two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 4.Aug 1
ParsleyMar 8May 24–May 31133fits: 70 days to maturity, 133 available after May 24.Jul 12
CeleryMar 8May 24–Jun 7133fits: 120 days to maturity, 133 available after May 24.—
ScallionsMar 8Apr 19–May 3182two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 18.Aug 5
Turnip—Apr 19–May 3182two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 18.Aug 15
Kohlrabi—Apr 5–Apr 19196two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 18.Aug 10
Bok ChoyApr 19May 10–May 17147two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 4.Aug 6
CollardsMar 8Apr 19–May 3182two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 18.Aug 5
CantaloupeMay 3May 31–Jun 791fits: 85 days to maturity, 91 available after May 31.—
ChivesFeb 22May 24–May 31147fits: 90 days to maturity, 147 available after May 24.—
Dill—Mar 22–Jun 14196two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 4.Jul 27
OreganoMar 8May 24–May 31147fits: 80 days to maturity, 147 available after May 24.—
RosemaryFeb 22May 24–May 31133fits: 80 days to maturity, 133 available after May 24.—
SageMar 22May 24–May 31147fits: 75 days to maturity, 147 available after May 24.—
ThymeMar 8May 24–May 31147fits: 90 days to maturity, 147 available after May 24.—
CalendulaApr 5May 3–May 17154two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 4.Aug 1
CosmosApr 19May 17–May 31119fits: 60 days to maturity, 119 available after May 17.Jul 1
LavenderFeb 22May 17–May 31154fits: 90 days to maturity, 154 available after May 17.—
MarigoldsApr 5May 17–May 24119two-plantings: Plant May 17 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 13.Jul 11
MelonsMay 3May 31–Jun 791fits: 85 days to maturity, 91 available after May 31.—
Mint—May 17–May 31154fits: 90 days to maturity, 154 available after May 17.—
NasturtiumsApr 19May 17–May 24119fits: 55 days to maturity, 119 available after May 17.Jul 6
Pole Beans—May 24–Jun 7112fits: 65 days to maturity, 112 available after May 24.Jun 26
Spaghetti SquashMay 3May 31–Jun 798fits: 90 days to maturity, 98 available after May 31.—
Sunflowers—May 17–May 31119fits: 70 days to maturity, 119 available after May 17.Jun 21
TomatillosMar 22May 24–May 3198fits: 75 days to maturity, 98 available after May 24.Jun 2
WatermelonMay 3May 24–May 3198fits: 80 days to maturity, 98 available after May 24.May 28
Yellow SquashMay 3May 31–Jun 7105fits: 55 days to maturity, 105 available after May 31.Jul 6
ZinniasApr 19May 17–May 31119fits: 60 days to maturity, 119 available after May 17.Jul 1

Month by month in Littleton

MonthWhat to do
JanuaryPlan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates.
FebruaryStart indoors: Chives (Feb 22), Lavender (Feb 22), Onion (Feb 22), Rosemary (Feb 22).
MarchStart indoors: Celery (Mar 8), Collards (Mar 8), Kale (Mar 8), Oregano (Mar 8), Parsley (Mar 8), Scallions (Mar 8), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 22), Beets (Mar 22), Dill (Mar 22), Peas (Mar 22), Radish (Mar 22), Spinach (Mar 22).
AprilStart indoors: Calendula (Apr 5), Cauliflower (Apr 5), Marigolds (Apr 5), Pepper (Apr 5), Basil (Apr 12), Tomato (Apr 12), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Apr 5), Cilantro (Apr 19), Turnip (Apr 19), Carrots (Apr 26). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 19), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 19), Cabbage (Apr 19), Collards (Apr 19), Kale (Apr 19), Lettuce (Apr 19), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 12).
MayStart indoors: Butternut Squash (May 3), Cantaloupe (May 3), Melons (May 3), Pumpkin (May 3), Spaghetti Squash (May 3), Watermelon (May 3), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (May 3), Sunflowers (May 17), Beans (May 24), Pole Beans (May 24). Transplant from: Calendula (May 3), Swiss Chard (May 3), Bok Choy (May 10), Cauliflower (May 10), Cosmos (May 17), Lavender (May 17), +26 more. Last frost around May 17. Last sowing dates: Watermelon (May 28).
JuneTransplant from: Basil (Jun 7). Last sowing dates: Pepper (Jun 2), Tomatillos (Jun 2), Eggplant (Jun 7), Corn (Jun 9), Sunflowers (Jun 21), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 26), +1 more.
JulyLast sowing dates: Basil (Jul 1), Cosmos (Jul 1), Cucumber (Jul 1), Zinnias (Jul 1), Broccoli (Jul 2), Nasturtiums (Jul 6), +13 more.
AugustLast sowing dates: Calendula (Aug 1), Cilantro (Aug 1), Collards (Aug 5), Scallions (Aug 5), Bok Choy (Aug 6), Lettuce (Aug 6), +6 more.
SeptemberDirect sow from: Garlic (Sep 27). First frost around September 27.
OctoberLast sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 18).
NovemberClean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden.
DecemberClean 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 Littleton, CO (ZIP 80130)?

The median last spring frost date for Littleton, CO (ZIP code 80130) is around May 17. 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 30; one in ten it runs past June 2.

What is the first fall frost date in Littleton, CO?

The median first fall frost date for Littleton, CO is around September 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 September 15 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.

How long is the growing season in Littleton, CO?

The frost-free growing season in Littleton is about 133 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 Littleton (133 frost-free days, a moderate season), 37 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 16 get two plantings, 2 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.

What USDA hardiness zone is Littleton, CO?

Littleton, 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 Littleton, CO?

Start tomatoes indoors Apr 12 and plant out May 31 in Littleton. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.

How many plantings of lettuce fit in Littleton?

Two: plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 4.

When do I plant garlic in Littleton?

Sep 27 to Oct 18; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.

Can I grow Butternut Squash in Littleton?

Yes, with help. Even planted out May 31, the outdoor season is about 2 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.

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