Ft Lewis, CO Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Jun 1
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Sep 27
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
118 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 6b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost May 16 Jun 1 Jun 19
First fall frost Oct 8 Sep 27 Sep 13
Hard freeze (28°F), median last May 17 · first Oct 6

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the FT LEWIS station. "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 Ft Lewis

Computed from Ft Lewis'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 Apr 6 – Apr 20 Jun 8 – Jun 15
🫑 Peppers Mar 23 – Apr 6 Jun 15 – Jun 22
🥬 Lettuce Apr 20 – May 4 May 4 – May 18 May 4 – Jun 1
🫛 Peas Apr 20 – May 4
🥕 Carrots May 11 – Jun 1
🥦 Broccoli Apr 13 – Apr 27 May 11 – May 25
🥬 Kale Apr 20 – May 4 May 4 – May 18 May 4 – May 18
🥒 Cucumbers May 4 – May 11 Jun 8 – Jun 15 Jun 8 – Jun 15
🥒 Zucchini May 4 – May 11 Jun 8 – Jun 15 Jun 8 – Jun 15
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Jun 8 – Jun 15
🌽 Sweet Corn Jun 8 – Jun 15
🌿 Basil Apr 20 – May 4 Jun 8 – Jun 15 Jun 15 – Jun 22
🧄 Garlic Fall: Aug 16 – Sep 13

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 Ft Lewis's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Ft Lewis

At about 118 frost-free days, Ft Lewis rewards efficiency: start warm-season crops indoors, favor short-season varieties, and lean on cold-tolerant crops — peas, kale, roots — that shrug off the shoulder-season frosts on either end.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Ft Lewis, CO?

The average last spring frost in Ft Lewis is around Jun 1, 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 Ft Lewis, CO?

The average first fall frost in Ft Lewis arrives around Sep 27. 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 Ft Lewis?

About 118 frost-free days on average, from Jun 1 to Sep 27. That favors short-season varieties and transplants for warm-season crops, with cool-season vegetables doing the heavy lifting in spring and fall.

What USDA zone is Ft Lewis in?

USDA zone 6b 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.