Rocky Ford 2 SE, CO Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Rocky Ford 2 SE garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
May 1
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 8
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
160 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 6a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Apr 20 May 1 May 14
First fall frost Oct 19 Oct 8 Sep 26
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Apr 21 · first Oct 16

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the ROCKY FORD 2 SE 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 Rocky Ford 2 SE

Computed from Rocky Ford 2 SE'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 6 – Mar 20 May 8 – May 15
🫑 Peppers Feb 20 – Mar 6 May 15 – May 22
🥬 Lettuce Mar 20 – Apr 3 Apr 3 – Apr 17 Apr 3 – May 1
🫛 Peas Mar 20 – Apr 3
🥕 Carrots Apr 10 – May 1
🥦 Broccoli Mar 13 – Mar 27 Apr 10 – Apr 24
🥬 Kale Mar 20 – Apr 3 Apr 3 – Apr 17 Apr 3 – Apr 17
🥒 Cucumbers Apr 3 – Apr 10 May 8 – May 15 May 8 – May 15
🥒 Zucchini Apr 3 – Apr 10 May 8 – May 15 May 8 – May 15
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) May 8 – May 15
🌽 Sweet Corn May 8 – May 15
🌿 Basil Mar 20 – Apr 3 May 8 – May 15 May 15 – May 22
🧄 Garlic Fall: Aug 27 – Sep 24

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 Rocky Ford 2 SE's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Rocky Ford 2 SE

Roughly 160 frost-free days gives Rocky Ford 2 SE gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after May 1; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 8 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Rocky Ford 2 SE, CO?

The average last spring frost in Rocky Ford 2 SE is around May 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 Rocky Ford 2 SE, CO?

The average first fall frost in Rocky Ford 2 SE arrives around Oct 8. 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 Rocky Ford 2 SE?

About 160 frost-free days on average, from May 1 to Oct 8. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Rocky Ford 2 SE 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.