Frost Dates for Windsor, CO

In Windsor, CO, the average last spring frost is around May 3 and the average first fall frost around Oct 6, for a growing season of about 154 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until May 15, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.

Average last frostMay 350% chance of frost after this date
Safe to plantMay 15only a 10% chance of frost after
Average first frostOct 650% chance of frost before this date
Growing season154 daysfrost-free in an average year

Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Ft Collins 4 E, CO weather station, 9 miles away, elevation 4,920 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 15Sep 22
20%May 11Sep 27
30%May 8Oct 1
40%May 6Oct 3
50%May 3Oct 6
60%May 1Oct 9
70%Apr 29Oct 11
80%Apr 26Oct 14
90%Apr 21Oct 17

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 14Sep 27
Frost / freeze (32°F)May 3Oct 6
Hard freeze (28°F)Apr 23Oct 14

Planting calendar for Windsor

Start indoors Plant outside Fall planting
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tomatoes
Indoors Mar 8 – Mar 22
Transplant May 10 – May 24
Peppers
Indoors Feb 22 – Mar 8
Transplant May 17 – May 31
Eggplant
Indoors Feb 22 – Mar 8
Transplant May 17 – May 31
Basil
Indoors Mar 22 – Apr 5
Transplant May 10 – May 24
Cucumbers
Indoors Apr 5 – Apr 12
Sow or transplant May 10 – May 24
Zucchini and summer squash
Indoors Apr 5 – Apr 12
Sow or transplant May 10 – May 24
Pumpkins and winter squash
Sow May 10 – May 24
Watermelons and melons
Indoors Apr 5 – Apr 12
Sow or transplant May 17 – May 31
Green beans
Sow May 10 – May 24
Sweet corn
Sow May 10 – May 24
Lettuce
Indoors Mar 22 – Apr 5
Sow or transplant Apr 5 – Apr 19
Fall sowing Aug 11 – Sep 8
Spinach
Sow Mar 22 – Apr 12
Fall sowing Aug 11 – Sep 1
Peas
Sow Mar 22 – Apr 5
Fall sowing Jul 28 – Aug 11
Kale
Indoors Mar 8 – Mar 22
Sow or transplant Apr 5 – Apr 19
Fall sowing Jul 28 – Aug 25
Broccoli
Indoors Mar 8 – Mar 22
Transplant Apr 19 – May 3
Fall sowing Jul 14 – Jul 28
Cabbage
Indoors Mar 8 – Mar 22
Transplant Apr 12 – Apr 26
Fall sowing Jul 14 – Jul 28
Carrots
Sow Apr 12 – May 3
Fall sowing Jul 14 – Jul 28
Radishes
Sow Mar 29 – Apr 19
Fall sowing Aug 25 – Sep 15
Beets
Sow Apr 12 – May 3
Fall sowing Jul 28 – Aug 11
Onions (sets or transplants)
Indoors Feb 8 – Feb 22
Plant Apr 5 – Apr 19
Potatoes
Plant Apr 12 – Apr 26
Garlic
Plant Oct 6 – Nov 3

Based on the average last frost (May 3) and first frost (Oct 6). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.

Nearby cities

GreeleyLovelandFort CollinsLongmontErieLafayetteBrightonBoulderAll Colorado towns