Last frost date in Centennial, CO

Average last frost
May 5

The average last frost in Centennial is May 5. By May 17 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 8, which leaves 154 frost-free days. An early freeze before September 25 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 17
Average first frost
Oct 8
Frost-free season
154 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 25
Next 7 nights in Centennial

No frost in the next 7 nights

Later than usual: the average first frost here is October 8.

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2256°
  2. FriOct 2347°
  3. SatOct 2439°
  4. SunOct 2540°
  5. MonOct 2638°
  6. TueOct 2739°
  7. WedOct 2841°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost May 5First frost Oct 8154 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND154 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Denver Centennial Airport, 1.6 miles from Centennial.

Planting calendar for Centennial

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Colorado.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesMay 12–May 26
PumpkinsMay 19–Jun 2
SunflowersMay 5–May 26
CucumbersMay 19–May 26
CornMay 12–May 26
Sweet potatoesMay 26–Jun 9
WatermelonMay 19–Jun 2
Green beansMay 12–Jun 2
ZucchiniMay 12–May 26
OkraMay 26–Jun 9
PeppersMay 19–Jun 2
BasilMay 12–May 26
Butternut squashMay 12–May 26
CantaloupeMay 19–Jun 2
EggplantMay 19–Jun 2
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesApr 7–Apr 21
OnionsMar 24–Apr 14
CarrotsApr 14–May 19
LettuceApr 21–May 12
BroccoliApr 7–Apr 21
BeetsApr 7–May 19
PeasMar 24–Apr 7
CabbageApr 7–Apr 21
RadishesMar 31–May 12
Brussels sproutsApr 21–May 5
SpinachMar 24–Apr 14
CilantroApr 21–May 12
KaleApr 7–Apr 21
Collard greensApr 7–Apr 21
TurnipsApr 7–Apr 21
DillMay 5–May 19
CeleryMay 12–May 19
CauliflowerApr 21–May 5
LeeksApr 21–May 5
Swiss chardApr 21–May 19
ParsleyApr 21–May 12
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsSep 24–Oct 29
GarlicSep 17–Oct 22
Daffodil bulbsSep 10–Oct 22
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesApr 7–Apr 21
AsparagusApr 7–Apr 21

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 24May 5May 17Sep 25Oct 8Oct 20
Hard freeze, 28°FApr 10Apr 25May 9Oct 4Oct 17Oct 28

Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Where these numbers come from

NOAA station Denver Centennial Airport (USW00093067) sits 1.6 miles from the center of Centennial at 5,883 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.

Questions

When is the last frost in Centennial, CO?

The average last frost date in Centennial is May 5, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 17.

When is the first frost in Centennial?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 8. One year in ten it arrives before September 25.

How long is the growing season in Centennial?

About 154 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Centennial?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 12 to May 26. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Colorado

All 34 cities in Colorado