Colorado Springs, CO planting zone & frost dates
Colorado Springs is in USDA hardiness zone 6a. The last spring frost usually comes around May 3 and the first fall frost around October 8, for a growing season of about 158 days.
Planting calendar for Colorado Springs
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (May 3) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Mar 8 – Mar 22 Transplant outdoors: May 10 – May 17 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Feb 22 – Mar 8 Transplant outdoors: May 17 – May 24 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Feb 22 – Mar 8 Transplant outdoors: May 17 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Feb 22 – Mar 8 Transplant outdoors: Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Feb 22 – Mar 8 Transplant outdoors: Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Mar 22 – Apr 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Mar 22 – Apr 5 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: May 10 – May 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: May 10 – May 17 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: May 10 – May 17 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: May 10 – May 17 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Mar 22 – Apr 5 Transplant outdoors: May 10 – May 17 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 13 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 8).
Useful for zone 6a gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
- Cold frame / mini greenhouse — adds weeks to a short season
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Apr 22 | May 3 | May 15 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Oct 19 | Oct 8 | Sep 26 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 15, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before September 26. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 24.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Colorado Springs
- 80901 zone 6a
- 80902 zone 6a
- 80903 zone 6a
- 80904 zone 6a
- 80905 zone 6a
- 80906 zone 6a
- 80907 zone 6a
- 80908 zone 5b
- 80909 zone 6a
- 80910 zone 6a
- 80911 zone 6a
- 80913 zone 6a
- 80914 zone 6a
- 80915 zone 6a
- 80916 zone 6a
- 80917 zone 6a
- 80918 zone 6a
- 80919 zone 5b
- 80920 zone 5b
- 80921 zone 5b
- 80922 zone 6a
- 80923 zone 6a
- 80924 zone 5b
- 80925 zone 6a
- 80926 zone 6a
- 80927 zone 5b
- 80928 zone 6a
- 80929 zone 6a
- 80930 zone 6a
- 80931 zone 6a
- 80932 zone 6a
- 80933 zone 6a
- 80934 zone 6a
- 80935 zone 6a
- 80936 zone 6a
- 80937 zone 6a
- 80938 zone 6a
- 80939 zone 6a
- 80941 zone 6a
- 80942 zone 6a
- 80946 zone 6a
- 80947 zone 6a
- 80949 zone 6a
- 80950 zone 6a
- 80951 zone 6a
- 80960 zone 6a
- 80962 zone 5b
- 80970 zone 6a
- 80977 zone 6a
- 80995 zone 5b
- 80997 zone 5b
Nearby cities
- Fort Carson zone 6a, last frost May 3
- Security-Widefield zone 6a, last frost May 3
- Fountain zone 6a, last frost May 3
- Black Forest zone 5b, last frost May 9
- Pueblo West zone 6a, last frost Apr 26
- Castle Rock zone 5b, last frost May 9
- Cañon City zone 6a, last frost May 4
- Pueblo zone 6a, last frost Apr 30
Questions
What growing zone is Colorado Springs, CO?
Colorado Springs is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6a (average extreme winter low -10°F to -5°F), according to the USDA 2023 map. Some ZIP codes of the city fall in zone 5b.
When is the last frost in Colorado Springs?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Colorado Springs is May 3. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 15.
When can I plant tomatoes in Colorado Springs?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around May 10 – May 17. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Colorado Springs Muni Ap, CO (USW00093037), 11.8 km (7.3 mi) from the city center, elevation 1884 m, based on 30 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.