Colorado Planting Zones & Schedule

Because of its diverse elevation, Colorado’s USDA growing zones range from Zone 3 to Zone 7. The central mountain regions fall into Zones 3 and 4, where shorter, cooler seasons limit growing options to hardy crops such as kale, lettuce, and potatoes.

In contrast, lower elevations and the Front Range, including Denver and Grand Junction, fall into Zones 5 to 7, offering longer growing seasons for warm-weather crops such as tomatoes, peppers, and beans.

 

Colorado Last & First Frost Dates

  • *Keep in mind that frost can occur before or after these dates. Watch your local weather to determine the best time to plant.

  • The growing season in Colorado ranges from as low as 40 days at high elevations to about 150 days statewide. Refer to the planting schedules below to determine the best timing for your zone.

Zone 3 Planting Schedule

Zone 4 Planting Schedule

Zone 5 Planting Schedule

Zone 6 Planting Schedule

Zone 7 Planting Schedule