Mesa Verde National Park, CO Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Mesa Verde National Park garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
May 9
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 14
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
158 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 6b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Apr 24 May 9 May 27
First fall frost Oct 26 Oct 14 Oct 1
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Apr 27 · first Oct 24

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the MESA VERDE NP 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 Mesa Verde National Park

Computed from Mesa Verde National Park'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 14 – Mar 28 May 16 – May 23
🫑 Peppers Feb 28 – Mar 14 May 23 – May 30
🥬 Lettuce Mar 28 – Apr 11 Apr 11 – Apr 25 Apr 11 – May 9
🫛 Peas Mar 28 – Apr 11
🥕 Carrots Apr 18 – May 9
🥦 Broccoli Mar 21 – Apr 4 Apr 18 – May 2
🥬 Kale Mar 28 – Apr 11 Apr 11 – Apr 25 Apr 11 – Apr 25
🥒 Cucumbers Apr 11 – Apr 18 May 16 – May 23 May 16 – May 23
🥒 Zucchini Apr 11 – Apr 18 May 16 – May 23 May 16 – May 23
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) May 16 – May 23
🌽 Sweet Corn May 16 – May 23
🌿 Basil Mar 28 – Apr 11 May 16 – May 23 May 23 – May 30
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 2 – Sep 30

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 Mesa Verde National Park's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Mesa Verde National Park

Roughly 158 frost-free days gives Mesa Verde National Park gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after May 9; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 14 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Mesa Verde National Park, CO?

The average last spring frost in Mesa Verde National Park is around May 9, 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 Mesa Verde National Park, CO?

The average first fall frost in Mesa Verde National Park arrives around Oct 14. 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 Mesa Verde National Park?

About 158 frost-free days on average, from May 9 to Oct 14. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Mesa Verde National Park 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.