Cripple Creek 3NNW, CO Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Cripple Creek 3NNW garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
May 26
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Sep 26
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
123 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 5b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost May 15 May 26 Jun 9
First fall frost Oct 7 Sep 26 Sep 13
Hard freeze (28°F), median last May 14 · first Oct 4

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the CRIPPLE CREEK 3NNW 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 Cripple Creek 3NNW

Computed from Cripple Creek 3NNW's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-5 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Mar 31 – Apr 14 Jun 2 – Jun 9
🫑 Peppers Mar 17 – Mar 31 Jun 9 – Jun 16
🥬 Lettuce Apr 14 – Apr 28 Apr 28 – May 12 Apr 28 – May 26
🫛 Peas Apr 14 – Apr 28
🥕 Carrots May 5 – May 26
🥦 Broccoli Apr 7 – Apr 21 May 5 – May 19
🥬 Kale Apr 14 – Apr 28 Apr 28 – May 12 Apr 28 – May 12
🥒 Cucumbers Apr 28 – May 5 Jun 2 – Jun 9 Jun 2 – Jun 9
🥒 Zucchini Apr 28 – May 5 Jun 2 – Jun 9 Jun 2 – Jun 9
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Jun 2 – Jun 9
🌽 Sweet Corn Jun 2 – Jun 9
🌿 Basil Apr 14 – Apr 28 Jun 2 – Jun 9 Jun 9 – Jun 16
🧄 Garlic Fall: Aug 15 – Sep 12

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 Cripple Creek 3NNW's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Cripple Creek 3NNW

At about 123 frost-free days, Cripple Creek 3NNW 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 Cripple Creek 3NNW, CO?

The average last spring frost in Cripple Creek 3NNW is around May 26, 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 Cripple Creek 3NNW, CO?

The average first fall frost in Cripple Creek 3NNW arrives around Sep 26. 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 Cripple Creek 3NNW?

About 123 frost-free days on average, from May 26 to Sep 26. 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 Cripple Creek 3NNW in?

USDA zone 5b 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.