Frost dates for ZIP 81641 (Meeker, 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, Meeker AP, CO (5 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMay 3050% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostSep 2250% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)117 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone5b-15 to -10°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 17, 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 53°F, as of Oct 17, 9:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Dinosaur 2 E (61 mi).
4-inch depth
48°F Below 50°F
24-hour average · latest 54°F, as of Oct 17, 9:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Dinosaur 2 E (61 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 81641 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 14 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | May 30 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Jun 13 |
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 10 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Sep 22 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 3 |
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 13 |
| 32°F (freeze) | May 30 | Sep 22 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | May 12 | Oct 1 |
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 81641
Dates count from your average last spring frost (May 30) and first fall frost (Sep 22). 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 4–18 | Jun 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Mar 21–Apr 4 | Jun 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Mar 21–Apr 4 | Jun 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Apr 4–18 | Jun 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Apr 4–18 | May 9–30 (transplant) May 2–Jun 13 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 18 (transplant) Jul 14–Aug 11 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Apr 18–May 9 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 18 (sowing) |
| Kale | Apr 4–18 | May 2–16 (transplant) May 2–16 (sow outdoors) | Jun 30–Jul 28 (transplant) Jun 16–Jul 14 (sowing) |
| Collards | Apr 4–18 | May 2–30 (transplant) May 2–30 (sow outdoors) | Jun 30–Jul 28 (transplant) Jun 16–Jul 14 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Mar 21–Apr 4 | May 2–16 (transplant) | Jun 16–Jul 14 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Mar 21–Apr 4 | May 2–16 (transplant) | Jun 16–Jul 14 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Mar 21–Apr 4 | May 16–30 (transplant) | Jun 16–Jul 14 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Mar 7–21 | May 2–16 (transplant) | Jun 2–23 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Apr 4–18 | May 2–16 (transplant) May 2–16 (sow outdoors) | Jul 14–28 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | May 2–16 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 11 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | May 2–30 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 25 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | May 2–23 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 11 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Apr 18–May 2 | May 16–Jun 6 (transplant) May 16–Jun 13 (sow outdoors) | Jul 14–28 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | May 2–30 (sow outdoors) | Jul 14–28 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | May 9–Jun 6 (sow outdoors) | Jun 30–Jul 14 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Apr 25–Jun 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 11–25 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | May 2–23 (sow outdoors) | Jul 14–28 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | May 9–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Apr 4–May 2 (sow outdoors) | Jun 30–Jul 14 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Mar 7–21 | Apr 18–May 2 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Apr 18–May 16 (sow outdoors) | Jul 14–28 (sowing) |
| Leek | Mar 7–21 | May 2–16 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Aug 11–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Apr 18–May 2 (transplant) | Aug 11–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | May 2–16 (transplant) | Jun 2–16 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jun 20–Jul 4 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Jun 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Jun 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | Jun 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Jun 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jun 20–Jul 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | May 2–9 | Jun 6–20 (transplant) Jun 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | May 2–9 | Jun 6–20 (transplant) Jun 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | May 2–9 | Jun 6–20 (transplant) Jun 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Jun 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | May 2–9 | Jun 13–27 (transplant) Jun 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | May 2–9 | Jun 13–27 (transplant) Jun 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Apr 18–May 2 | Jun 13–27 (transplant) Jun 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Mar 7–21 | Jun 6–13 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Apr 18–May 2 | Jun 6–20 (transplant) Jun 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | May 16–Jun 13 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 11 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Mar 21–Apr 4 | May 16–30 (transplant) May 9–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | May 30–Jun 13 (sow outdoors) | Jul 28–Aug 11 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | May 30–Jun 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | May 2–16 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | May 2–16 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | May 2–16 (transplant) | Jul 14–Aug 11 (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 May 30 here (the average last frost). Not affiliated with the program.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Meeker AP, CO (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USW00094050), elevation 6,390 ft, 5.5 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meeker, CO | 7 mi | Jun 4 | Sep 16 |
| Craig 4SW, CO | 27 mi | May 29 | Sep 20 |
| Craig Moffat Co AP, CO | 31 mi | Jun 6 | Sep 12 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 8 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 81641
When is the last frost in 81641?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 81641 is May 30. For a more cautious planting date, use June 13, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 81641?
The average first fall freeze is September 22. In 1 year in 10 it comes by September 10.
What hardiness zone is 81641?
ZIP 81641 is in USDA zone 5b (-15 to -10°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 81641 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
81638 81650 Rifle 81633 81647 New Castle 81625 Craig 81635 Battlement Mesa 81639 Hayden 81601 Glenwood Springs
Other ZIP codes in Rio Blanco County
81648 81650 All Rio Blanco County frost dates · Colorado frost dates
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