Denver, CO Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Denver garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Apr 30
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 12
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
165 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
6a
2023 hardiness map
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Apr 15 Apr 30 May 13
First fall frost Oct 26 Oct 12 Sep 28
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Apr 18 · first Oct 21

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the Denver Water Dept station (2 km from central Denver). "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Denver

Computed from Denver's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-6 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Mar 5 – Mar 19 May 7 – May 14
🫑 Peppers Feb 19 – Mar 5 May 14 – May 21
🥬 Lettuce Mar 19 – Apr 2 Apr 2 – Apr 16 Apr 2 – Apr 30
🫛 Peas Mar 19 – Apr 2
🥕 Carrots Apr 9 – Apr 30
🥦 Broccoli Mar 12 – Mar 26 Apr 9 – Apr 23
🥬 Kale Mar 19 – Apr 2 Apr 2 – Apr 16 Apr 2 – Apr 16
🥒 Cucumbers Apr 2 – Apr 9 May 7 – May 14 May 7 – May 14
🥒 Zucchini Apr 2 – Apr 9 May 7 – May 14 May 7 – May 14
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) May 7 – May 14
🌽 Sweet Corn May 7 – May 14
🌿 Basil Mar 19 – Apr 2 May 7 – May 14 May 14 – May 21
🧄 Garlic Fall: Aug 31 – Sep 28

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Denver's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Denver

Roughly 165 frost-free days gives Denver gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after Apr 30; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 12 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Denver, CO?

The average last spring frost in Denver is around Apr 30, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Denver, CO?

The average first fall frost in Denver arrives around Oct 12. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Denver?

About 165 frost-free days on average, from Apr 30 to Oct 12. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Denver in?

USDA zone 6a on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.