Frost Dates for Pueblo, CO 81005
Last spring frost May 4 · First fall frost October 4 · 153 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 81005 has about 32,400 people, one of 7 ZIP codes in Pueblo.
Moderate season: 153 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 16–May 23 (37 days). Fall frost risk spans September 20–October 18 (28 days).
Frost probability for 81005
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 23 | May 4 | April 16 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 20 | October 4 | October 18 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at CANON CITY (43.2 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 153-day season in Pueblo
In Pueblo (153 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 | Mar 30 | May 18–May 25 | 111 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 111 available after May 18. | Jun 4 |
| Pepper | Mar 23 | May 18–May 25 | 111 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 111 available after May 18. | Jun 9 |
| Lettuce | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 13 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 195 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 13. | Aug 2 |
| Cucumber | Apr 13 | May 18–May 25 | 125 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 125 available after May 18. | Jul 8 |
| Beans | — | May 11–May 25 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 15 |
| Peas | — | Mar 9–May 18 | 216 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 216 available after Mar 9. | Jul 24 |
| Zucchini | Apr 20 | May 18–May 25 | 125 | two-plantings: Plant May 18 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 20. | Jul 13 |
| Onion | Feb 9 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 188 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 6. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 9–Apr 27 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Oct 25. | Sep 1 |
| Kale | Feb 23 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Broccoli | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 188 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 6. | Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 202 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 6. | Aug 2 |
| Radish | — | Mar 9–Jun 1 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Oct 11. | Sep 2 |
| Beets | — | Mar 9–Jun 1 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 3 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 174 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 4 | 258 | overwinter: Plant Oct 4 to Oct 25; harvest the following summer. | Oct 25 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 30–May 25 | 209 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 30; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 6 | May 11–May 18 | 125 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 125 available after May 11. | Jun 16 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 20 | May 18–May 18 | 118 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 118 available after May 18. | May 22 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 23 | Apr 27–May 11 | 167 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 27. | Jul 14 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 9 | Apr 20–Apr 20 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 3 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 9–Jun 1 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Oct 25. | Sep 1 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 202 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 6. | Jul 3 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 20 | May 18–May 25 | 118 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 118 available after May 18. | May 22 |
| Eggplant | Mar 16 | May 18–May 25 | 111 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 111 available after May 18. | Jun 14 |
| Okra | Apr 6 | May 11–May 18 | 132 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 20. | Jul 13 |
| Basil | Mar 30 | May 25–May 25 | 118 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 118 available after May 25. | Jul 8 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 6–Apr 27 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 8 |
| Parsley | Feb 23 | May 11–May 18 | 153 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 153 available after May 11. | Jul 19 |
| Celery | Feb 23 | May 11–May 25 | 153 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 153 available after May 11. | May 30 |
| Scallions | Feb 23 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 12 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 22 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 6 | Apr 27–May 4 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 13 |
| Collards | Feb 23 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 12 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 20 | May 18–May 25 | 111 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 111 available after May 18. | May 30 |
| Chives | Feb 9 | May 11–May 18 | 167 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 167 available after May 11. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 9–Jun 1 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 3 |
| Oregano | Feb 23 | May 11–May 18 | 167 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 167 available after May 11. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 9 | May 11–May 18 | 153 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 153 available after May 11. | — |
| Sage | Mar 9 | May 11–May 18 | 167 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 167 available after May 11. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 23 | May 11–May 18 | 167 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 167 available after May 11. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 23 | Apr 20–May 4 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 8 |
| Cosmos | Apr 6 | May 4–May 18 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 8; both mature before Sep 20. | Jul 8 |
| Lavender | Feb 9 | May 4–May 18 | 174 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 174 available after May 4. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 23 | May 4–May 11 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 20. | Jul 18 |
| Melons | Apr 20 | May 18–May 25 | 111 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 111 available after May 18. | May 30 |
| Mint | — | May 4–May 18 | 174 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 174 available after May 4. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 20. | Jul 13 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 11–May 25 | 132 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 132 available after May 11. | Jul 3 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 20 | May 18–May 25 | 118 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 118 available after May 18. | Jun 1 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 4–May 18 | 139 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 139 available after May 4. | Jun 28 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 9 | May 11–May 18 | 118 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 118 available after May 11. | Jun 9 |
| Watermelon | Apr 20 | May 11–May 18 | 118 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 118 available after May 11. | Jun 4 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 20 | May 18–May 25 | 125 | two-plantings: Plant May 18 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 20. | Jul 13 |
| Zinnias | Apr 6 | May 4–May 18 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 8; both mature before Sep 20. | Jul 8 |
Month by month in Pueblo
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 9), Lavender (Feb 9), Onion (Feb 9), Rosemary (Feb 9), Celery (Feb 23), Collards (Feb 23), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 9), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 9), Cabbage (Mar 9), Lettuce (Mar 9), Sage (Mar 9), Swiss Chard (Mar 9), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 9), Beets (Mar 9), Dill (Mar 9), Peas (Mar 9), Radish (Mar 9), Spinach (Mar 9), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 30). |
| April | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Apr 6), Corn (Apr 6), Cosmos (Apr 6), Nasturtiums (Apr 6), Okra (Apr 6), Zinnias (Apr 6), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 6), Turnip (Apr 6), Carrots (Apr 13), Potatoes (Apr 20). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 6), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 6), Cabbage (Apr 6), Collards (Apr 6), Kale (Apr 6), Lettuce (Apr 6), +6 more. |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 4), Beans (May 11), Pole Beans (May 11). Transplant from: Cosmos (May 4), Lavender (May 4), Marigolds (May 4), Mint (May 4), Nasturtiums (May 4), Zinnias (May 4), +23 more. Last frost around May 4. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 22), Pumpkin (May 22), Cantaloupe (May 30), Celery (May 30), Melons (May 30). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Spaghetti Squash (Jun 1), Tomato (Jun 4), Watermelon (Jun 4), Pepper (Jun 9), Tomatillos (Jun 9), Eggplant (Jun 14), +2 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Jul 3), Pole Beans (Jul 3), Basil (Jul 8), Cosmos (Jul 8), Cucumber (Jul 8), Zinnias (Jul 8), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 2), Carrots (Aug 2), Beets (Aug 3), Dill (Aug 3), Swiss Chard (Aug 3), Calendula (Aug 8), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 1), Spinach (Sep 1), Radish (Sep 2). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 4). First frost around October 4. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 25). |
| November | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
| 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 Pueblo, CO (ZIP 81005)?
The median last spring frost date for Pueblo, CO (ZIP code 81005) is around May 4. 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 23.
What is the first fall frost date in Pueblo, CO?
The median first fall frost date for Pueblo, CO is around October 4. 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 20 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Pueblo, CO?
The frost-free growing season in Pueblo is about 153 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 Pueblo (153 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 Pueblo, CO?
Pueblo, 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 Pueblo, CO?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 30 and plant out May 18 in Pueblo. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Pueblo?
Two: plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 11.
When do I plant garlic in Pueblo?
Oct 4 to Oct 25; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Nearby and related
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