Last frost date in Montrose, CO

Average last frost
April 28

Expect the last frost in Montrose around April 28. Frost after May 12 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 14, which leaves 167 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 1 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 12
Average first frost
Oct 14
Frost-free season
167 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 14
Next 7 nights in Montrose

No frost in the next 7 nights

Later than usual: the average first frost here is October 14.

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

  1. ThuOct 2247°
  2. FriOct 2341°
  3. SatOct 2441°
  4. SunOct 2538°
  5. MonOct 2637°
  6. TueOct 2738°
  7. WedOct 2839°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 28First frost Oct 14167 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND167 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Montrose #2, 1.6 miles from Montrose.

Planting calendar for Montrose

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 5–May 19
PumpkinsMay 12–May 26
SunflowersApr 28–May 19
CucumbersMay 12–May 19
CornMay 5–May 19
Sweet potatoesMay 19–Jun 2
WatermelonMay 12–May 26
Green beansMay 5–May 26
ZucchiniMay 5–May 19
OkraMay 19–Jun 2
PeppersMay 12–May 26
BasilMay 5–May 19
Butternut squashMay 5–May 19
CantaloupeMay 12–May 26
EggplantMay 12–May 26
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 31–Apr 14
OnionsMar 17–Apr 7
CarrotsApr 7–May 12
LettuceApr 14–May 5
BroccoliMar 31–Apr 14
BeetsMar 31–May 12
PeasMar 17–Mar 31
CabbageMar 31–Apr 14
RadishesMar 24–May 5
Brussels sproutsApr 14–Apr 28
SpinachMar 17–Apr 7
CilantroApr 14–May 5
KaleMar 31–Apr 14
Collard greensMar 31–Apr 14
TurnipsMar 31–Apr 14
DillApr 28–May 12
CeleryMay 5–May 12
CauliflowerApr 14–Apr 28
LeeksApr 14–Apr 28
Swiss chardApr 14–May 12
ParsleyApr 14–May 5
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsSep 30–Nov 4
GarlicSep 23–Oct 28
Daffodil bulbsSep 16–Oct 28
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 31–Apr 14
AsparagusMar 31–Apr 14

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 13Apr 28May 12Oct 1Oct 14Oct 27
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 29Apr 14Apr 30Oct 10Oct 24Nov 7

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 Montrose #2 (USC00055722) sits 1.6 miles from the center of Montrose at 5,789 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 Montrose, CO?

The average last frost date in Montrose is April 28, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 12.

When is the first frost in Montrose?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 14. One year in ten it arrives before October 1.

How long is the growing season in Montrose?

About 167 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Montrose?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 5 to May 19. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Colorado

All 34 cities in Colorado