Fall in zone 6bPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 81303 (La Plata County, CO)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Durango La Plata Co AP, CO (5 miles away).
- Average last spring frostJun 150% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostSep 2750% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)116 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone6b-5 to 0°F avg. coldest night
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Frost and freeze alerts from the NWS forecast for 81303, the spring soil-temperature heads-up for pre-emergent, and a short weekly yard-timing email.
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
47°F Below 50°F
24-hour average · latest 46°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Cortez 8 SE (37 mi).
4-inch depth
48°F Below 50°F
24-hour average · latest 49°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Cortez 8 SE (37 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 81303 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 48°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent window is mostly past. Next: spring, when soil reaches 50°F (typically mid-April to mid-May).
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: Mountain West and High Plains. Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Kentucky bluegrass (cool-season): Early fall: Around Labor Day (late August–September); Late fall: Late October–November, before the ground freezes; Late spring: Optional around Memorial Day. Avoid: Early-spring and midsummer feeding (pushes top growth, favors crabgrass).
Plant now
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | May 17 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Jun 1 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Jun 15 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Sep 15 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Sep 27 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 9 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Jun 13 | Sep 19 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Jun 1 | Sep 27 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | May 18 | Oct 6 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 81303
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Jun 1) and first fall frost (Sep 27). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 6–20 | Jun 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Mar 23–Apr 6 | Jun 15–29 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Mar 23–Apr 6 | Jun 15–29 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Apr 6–20 | Jun 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Apr 6–20 | May 11–Jun 1 (transplant) May 4–Jun 15 (sow outdoors) | Aug 2–23 (transplant) Jul 19–Aug 16 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Apr 20–May 11 (sow outdoors) | Aug 2–23 (sowing) |
| Kale | Apr 6–20 | May 4–18 (transplant) May 4–18 (sow outdoors) | Jul 5–Aug 2 (transplant) Jun 21–Jul 19 (sowing) |
| Collards | Apr 6–20 | May 4–Jun 1 (transplant) May 4–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | Jul 5–Aug 2 (transplant) Jun 21–Jul 19 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Mar 23–Apr 6 | May 4–18 (transplant) | Jun 21–Jul 19 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Mar 23–Apr 6 | May 4–18 (transplant) | Jun 21–Jul 19 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Mar 23–Apr 6 | May 18–Jun 1 (transplant) | Jun 21–Jul 19 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Mar 9–23 | May 4–18 (transplant) | Jun 7–28 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Apr 6–20 | May 4–18 (transplant) May 4–18 (sow outdoors) | Jul 19–Aug 2 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | May 4–18 (sow outdoors) | Aug 2–16 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | May 4–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | Aug 2–30 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | May 4–25 (sow outdoors) | Aug 2–16 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Apr 20–May 4 | May 18–Jun 8 (transplant) May 18–Jun 15 (sow outdoors) | Jul 19–Aug 2 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | May 4–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | Jul 19–Aug 2 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | May 11–Jun 8 (sow outdoors) | Jul 5–19 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Apr 27–Jun 8 (sow outdoors) | Aug 16–30 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | May 4–25 (sow outdoors) | Jul 19–Aug 2 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | May 11–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Apr 6–May 4 (sow outdoors) | Jul 5–19 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Mar 9–23 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Apr 20–May 18 (sow outdoors) | Jul 19–Aug 2 (sowing) |
| Leek | Mar 9–23 | May 4–18 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Aug 16–Sep 13 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | Aug 16–Sep 13 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | May 4–18 (transplant) | Jun 7–21 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jun 22–Jul 6 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Jun 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Jun 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | Jun 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Jun 15–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jun 22–Jul 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | May 4–11 | Jun 8–22 (transplant) Jun 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | May 4–11 | Jun 8–22 (transplant) Jun 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | May 4–11 | Jun 8–22 (transplant) Jun 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Jun 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | May 4–11 | Jun 15–29 (transplant) Jun 15–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | May 4–11 | Jun 15–29 (transplant) Jun 15–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Apr 20–May 4 | Jun 15–29 (transplant) Jun 15–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Mar 9–23 | Jun 8–15 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Apr 20–May 4 | Jun 8–22 (transplant) Jun 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | May 18–Jun 15 (sow outdoors) | Aug 2–16 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Mar 23–Apr 6 | May 18–Jun 1 (transplant) May 11–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Jun 1–15 (sow outdoors) | Aug 2–16 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Jun 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | May 4–18 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | May 4–18 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | May 4–18 (transplant) | Jul 19–Aug 16 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Plants that do well here
Colorado has a university or garden plant program: Plant Select®. Plant frost-tender annuals after June 1 here (the average last frost). Not affiliated with the program.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Durango La Plata Co AP, CO (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USW00093005), elevation 6,660 ft, 5.4 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durango, CO | 11 mi | May 21 | Oct 2 |
| Ft Lewis, CO | 13 mi | Jun 1 | Sep 27 |
| Ignacio 6ESE, CO | 18 mi | May 23 | Sep 29 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 11 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 81303
When is the last frost in 81303?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 81303 is June 1. For a more cautious planting date, use June 15, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 81303?
The average first fall freeze is September 27. In 1 year in 10 it comes by September 15.
What hardiness zone is 81303?
ZIP 81303 is in USDA zone 6b (-5 to 0°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 81303 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
81137 Southern Ute 81326 Marvel 87419 Navajo Dam 87410 Aztec 87418 La Plata 81122 Bayfield 87415 Flora Vista 81121 Arboles
Other ZIP codes in La Plata County
81122 81137 81301 81326 All La Plata County frost dates · Colorado frost dates
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Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
- Freeze alerts
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- Weekly yard to-dos
Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.