Frost Dates & Planting Calendar for Edwards, CO
Plan your garden around Edwards, CO's typical frost-free growing season, using NOAA climate normals and a 42-crop planting calendar built for this location.
Last Spring Frost
June 21
Safe Jul 9
Typical Jun 21
Risky Jun 8
First Fall Frost
September 7
Safe Aug 26
Typical Sep 7
Risky Sep 20
Growing Season
77 days
Typical last frost to typical first frost.
USDA Hardiness Zone
Zone 5b
A classic four-season climate with cold winters and a solid summer growing season.
Data: NOAA station VAIL, CO US, 20.6 km away.
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days until the typical last spring frost
Monthly Temperatures
Avg. high
Avg. temp
Avg. low
Planting Calendar
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | Jun 28 – Jul 5 | — | 60–85 days | Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Pepper | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | Jun 28 – Jul 12 | — | 60–90 days | Slow to germinate; start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant only once nights stay above 55F, 1-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Eggplant | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | Jul 5 – Jul 12 | — | 65–85 days | Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant. |
| Cucumber | May 24 – May 31 | Jun 28 – Jul 5 | Jun 28 – Jul 5 | — | 50–65 days | Can be started indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting, or direct-sown 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil is warm. |
| Zucchini | May 31 – Jun 7 | Jun 28 – Jul 12 | Jun 28 – Jul 5 | — | 45–55 days | Fast-growing squash; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 2-3 weeks early for a head start. |
| Winter Squash | May 24 – May 31 | Jun 28 – Jul 12 | Jun 28 – Jul 5 | — | 80–110 days | Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates. |
| Pumpkin | — | Jun 28 – Jul 12 | — | — | 90–120 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost; back-time from your first fall frost so the 90-120 day maturity window lands before it. |
| Watermelon | May 24 – May 31 | — | Jul 5 – Jul 12 | — | 70–90 days | Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Cantaloupe | May 24 – May 31 | — | Jul 5 – Jul 12 | — | 70–90 days | Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting. |
| Corn | — | Jun 21 – Jul 5 | — | — | 60–100 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil reaches 60F; does not transplant well. Succession sow every 2 weeks. |
| Green Bean | — | Jun 21 – Jul 5 | — | — | 50–65 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush. |
| Pea | — | May 10 – May 24 | — | — | 55–70 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Lettuce | — | May 24 – Jun 7 | — | Jul 13 – Jul 27 | 45–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts. |
| Spinach | — | May 10 – May 24 | — | Jul 13 – Jul 27 | 40–50 days | Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Kale | — | May 24 – Jun 7 | — | Jun 29 – Jul 13 | 50–65 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants. |
| Arugula | — | May 24 – Jun 7 | — | Jul 27 – Aug 3 | 30–40 days | Fast-growing, cold-tolerant green; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, succession sow every 2-3 weeks. |
| Swiss Chard | — | May 31 – Jun 14 | — | — | 50–60 days | Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too. |
| Broccoli | May 3 – May 17 | — | May 31 – Jun 7 | Jul 6 – Jul 13 | 55–80 days | Start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost; transplant out 2-3 weeks before last frost (hardens off to light frost). |
| Cauliflower | May 3 – May 17 | — | Jun 7 – Jun 14 | Jun 29 – Jul 6 | 55–85 days | Fussier than broccoli about temperature swings; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost. |
| Cabbage | May 3 – May 17 | — | May 24 – Jun 7 | Jun 29 – Jul 13 | 60–100 days | Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Brussels Sprouts | May 3 – May 17 | — | May 31 – Jun 14 | — | 90–110 days | Long-season crop best timed to mature after a light fall frost for sweetest flavor; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost. |
| Carrot | — | May 24 – Jun 7 | — | Jun 15 – Jun 29 | 60–80 days | Direct sow only (does not transplant); sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Beet | — | May 24 – Jun 7 | — | Jun 29 – Jul 13 | 50–65 days | Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost. |
| Radish | — | May 17 – May 31 | — | Jul 27 – Aug 10 | 22–30 days | Very fast and cold-hardy; direct sow 3-5 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Turnip | — | May 24 – Jun 7 | — | Jun 29 – Jul 13 | 40–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Onion | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | May 24 – Jun 7 | — | 90–120 days | Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost (or use sets/transplants); set out 2-4 weeks before last frost, very cold-tolerant as seedlings. |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Aug 10 – Aug 24 | 240–270 days | Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates. |
| Potato | — | May 24 – Jun 7 | — | — | 70–120 days | Plant seed potatoes 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked and is above 45F; light frost on emerging foliage is usually tolerated. |
| Sweet Potato | — | — | Jul 5 – Jul 19 | — | 90–120 days | Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive. |
| Asparagus | — | — | May 24 – Jun 7 | — | 730–1095 days | Perennial; plant crowns 2-4 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. Takes 2-3 years to full production. |
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | May 10 – May 17 | — | Jun 28 – Jul 5 | — | 50–70 days | Very frost/cold sensitive; start indoors 5-6 weeks before last frost, transplant only after all danger of frost (1-2 weeks after) and nights stay warm. |
| Cilantro | — | May 31 – Jun 14 | — | Jul 13 – Jul 27 | 45–70 days | Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring. |
| Parsley | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | Jun 7 – Jun 14 | — | 70–90 days | Slow to germinate; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost (biennial, cold-tolerant). |
| Dill | — | May 31 – Jun 14 | — | — | 40–60 days | Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer. |
| Oregano | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | Jun 21 – Jun 28 | — | 80–90 days | Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date. |
| Thyme | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | Jun 21 – Jun 28 | — | 85–95 days | Perennial herb, slow from seed; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/after last frost. |
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunflower | — | Jun 28 – Jul 12 | — | — | 70–100 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting. |
| Zinnia | May 24 – May 31 | Jun 28 – Jul 12 | Jun 28 – Jul 5 | — | 60–70 days | Frost-tender; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 3-4 weeks early for earlier blooms. |
| Marigold | May 10 – May 24 | — | Jun 28 – Jul 5 | — | 45–60 days | Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed. |
| Cosmos | May 24 – May 31 | Jun 28 – Jul 12 | Jun 28 – Jul 5 | — | 60–90 days | Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early. |
| Nasturtium | — | Jun 28 – Jul 12 | — | — | 50–65 days | Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Dahlia | — | — | Jun 28 – Jul 12 | — | 90–120 days | Plant tubers 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil is warm (60F+); very frost-sensitive. |
Date ranges are estimates based on university extension guidelines and this city's NOAA frost normals — not a guarantee. Scroll to see all columns on narrow screens.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the last frost in Edwards, CO?
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the VAIL, CO US station, the last spring frost in Edwards typically falls around June 21. A cautious gardener might wait until July 9 (only a 10% chance of a later frost), while June 8 marks an earlier, higher-risk planting date.
When is the first frost in Edwards, CO in fall?
The first fall frost in Edwards typically arrives around September 7. To stay safe, assume frost could start as early as August 26; in milder years it can hold off until September 20.
How long is the growing season in Edwards, CO?
Edwards's average frost-free growing season is about 77 days, running from the typical last spring frost (June 21) to the typical first fall frost (September 7).
What USDA hardiness zone is Edwards, CO in?
Edwards, CO is in USDA plant hardiness zone 5b, per the USDA's 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. A classic four-season climate with cold winters and a solid summer growing season.