Frost Dates for Wheat Ridge, CO

In Wheat Ridge, CO, the average last spring frost is around May 5 and the average first fall frost around Oct 5, for a growing season of about 151 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until May 18, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.

Average last frostMay 550% chance of frost after this date
Safe to plantMay 18only a 10% chance of frost after
Average first frostOct 550% chance of frost before this date
Growing season151 daysfrost-free in an average year

Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Wheat Ridge 2, CO weather station, under 1 mile away, elevation 5,398 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 18Sep 20
20%May 13Sep 25
30%May 11Sep 29
40%May 8Oct 2
50%May 5Oct 5
60%May 3Oct 7
70%May 1Oct 10
80%Apr 28Oct 12
90%Apr 24Oct 18

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 16Sep 26
Frost / freeze (32°F)May 5Oct 5
Hard freeze (28°F)Apr 25Oct 14

Planting calendar for Wheat Ridge

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 10 – Sep 7
Spinach
Sow Mar 24 – Apr 14
Fall sowing Aug 10 – Aug 31
Peas
Sow Mar 24 – Apr 7
Fall sowing Jul 27 – Aug 10
Kale
Indoors Mar 10 – Mar 24
Sow or transplant Apr 7 – Apr 21
Fall sowing Jul 27 – Aug 24
Broccoli
Indoors Mar 10 – Mar 24
Transplant Apr 21 – May 5
Fall sowing Jul 13 – Jul 27
Cabbage
Indoors Mar 10 – Mar 24
Transplant Apr 14 – Apr 28
Fall sowing Jul 13 – Jul 27
Carrots
Sow Apr 14 – May 5
Fall sowing Jul 13 – Jul 27
Radishes
Sow Mar 31 – Apr 21
Fall sowing Aug 24 – Sep 14
Beets
Sow Apr 14 – May 5
Fall sowing Jul 27 – Aug 10
Onions (sets or transplants)
Indoors Feb 10 – Feb 24
Plant Apr 7 – Apr 21
Potatoes
Plant Apr 14 – Apr 28
Garlic
Plant Oct 5 – Nov 2

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

Nearby cities

ArvadaLakewoodWestminsterEnglewoodNorthglennDenverBroomfieldLittletonAll Colorado towns