Frost Dates for Centennial, CO

In Centennial, CO, the average last spring frost is around May 5 and the average first fall frost around Oct 8, for a growing season of about 154 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until May 17, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.

Average last frostMay 550% chance of frost after this date
Safe to plantMay 17only a 10% chance of frost after
Average first frostOct 850% chance of frost before this date
Growing season154 daysfrost-free in an average year

Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Denver Centennial Airport, CO weather station, 2 miles away, elevation 5,883 ft. Frost can come earlier in low spots and valleys and later near cities and large lakes.

Frost probability by date

Chance of a 32°F frost after the spring date, or before the fall date.

ChanceLast spring frostFirst fall frost
10%May 17Sep 25
20%May 13Sep 30
30%May 10Oct 3
40%May 7Oct 6
50%May 5Oct 8
60%May 3Oct 11
70%Apr 30Oct 14
80%Apr 28Oct 16
90%Apr 24Oct 20

Light frost vs. hard freeze

Average (50%) dates for each temperature. Tender plants are damaged at 36°F; most hardy crops survive until 28°F.

TemperatureLast in springFirst in fall
Light frost (36°F)May 15Oct 1
Frost / freeze (32°F)May 5Oct 8
Hard freeze (28°F)Apr 25Oct 17

Planting calendar for Centennial

Start indoors Plant outside Fall planting
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tomatoes
Indoors Mar 10 – Mar 24
Transplant May 12 – May 26
Peppers
Indoors Feb 24 – Mar 10
Transplant May 19 – Jun 2
Eggplant
Indoors Feb 24 – Mar 10
Transplant May 19 – Jun 2
Basil
Indoors Mar 24 – Apr 7
Transplant May 12 – May 26
Cucumbers
Indoors Apr 7 – Apr 14
Sow or transplant May 12 – May 26
Zucchini and summer squash
Indoors Apr 7 – Apr 14
Sow or transplant May 12 – May 26
Pumpkins and winter squash
Sow May 12 – May 26
Watermelons and melons
Indoors Apr 7 – Apr 14
Sow or transplant May 19 – Jun 2
Green beans
Sow May 12 – May 26
Sweet corn
Sow May 12 – May 26
Lettuce
Indoors Mar 24 – Apr 7
Sow or transplant Apr 7 – Apr 21
Fall sowing Aug 13 – Sep 10
Spinach
Sow Mar 24 – Apr 14
Fall sowing Aug 13 – Sep 3
Peas
Sow Mar 24 – Apr 7
Fall sowing Jul 30 – Aug 13
Kale
Indoors Mar 10 – Mar 24
Sow or transplant Apr 7 – Apr 21
Fall sowing Jul 30 – Aug 27
Broccoli
Indoors Mar 10 – Mar 24
Transplant Apr 21 – May 5
Fall sowing Jul 16 – Jul 30
Cabbage
Indoors Mar 10 – Mar 24
Transplant Apr 14 – Apr 28
Fall sowing Jul 16 – Jul 30
Carrots
Sow Apr 14 – May 5
Fall sowing Jul 16 – Jul 30
Radishes
Sow Mar 31 – Apr 21
Fall sowing Aug 27 – Sep 17
Beets
Sow Apr 14 – May 5
Fall sowing Jul 30 – Aug 13
Onions (sets or transplants)
Indoors Feb 10 – Feb 24
Plant Apr 7 – Apr 21
Potatoes
Plant Apr 14 – Apr 28
Garlic
Plant Oct 8 – Nov 5

Based on the average last frost (May 5) and first frost (Oct 8). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.

Nearby cities

ParkerEnglewoodLittletonAuroraDenverCastle RockLakewoodWheat RidgeAll Colorado towns