This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
When to plant in Colorado Springs depends on your specific crop and the local microclimate, but the general rule is to start cool-season crops in early spring and warm-season crops after the last frost date.
If you’ve been asking when to plant in Colorado Springs, the short answer is that the average last frost date is around May 5th, but it can vary by a week or two depending on your exact neighborhood.
That’s why timing is everything here, and this post will walk you through the best planting windows for both cool and warm-season vegetables.
In this guide, we’ll cover when to plant in Colorado Springs for spring, summer, and fall, plus the best practices for extending your growing season in this high-altitude climate.
Let’s dig into the details so you can get your garden thriving.
When to Plant in Colorado Springs: The Frost Dates You Need to Know
The first thing to understand about when to plant in Colorado Springs is that our elevation—over 6,000 feet—brings unpredictable weather, even in late spring.
Your planting schedule really hinges on two key dates: the average last spring frost and the average first fall frost, which typically lands around September 30th.
This gives you a growing season of roughly 150 days, but it’s a season that can surprise you with a sudden cold snap.
So, if you want to know when to plant in Colorado Springs, you’ll need to plan around these frost dates and always be ready to protect your plants with row covers or cold frames.
1. Average Last Frost Date (Spring)
The average last frost date in Colorado Springs is May 5th, but some years it can stretch into mid-May.
This date matters most for warm-season crops like tomatoes, peppers, and squash, which are killed by any frost.
If you’re eager to get started, you can plant cool-season crops as early as late March or early April, since they tolerate light frost.
So, when to plant in Colorado Springs for cold-hardy veggies? Definitely aim for early April, but watch the 10-day forecast before putting anything in the ground.
2. Average First Frost Date (Fall)
For fall planting, the average first frost date is September 30th, which gives you a window for a second round of cool-season crops.
When to plant in Colorado Springs for fall harvests like spinach, kale, or carrots? You’ll want to sow those seeds in late July or early August so they mature before the cold arrives.
This fall window is perfect for leafy greens that actually taste sweeter after a light frost.
Best Times to Plant Cool-Season Crops in Colorado Springs
Cool-season crops are your best friends in this climate, and when to plant in Colorado Springs for these is much earlier than you might think.
These plants thrive in cooler soil and air temperatures, and they can handle a frost without much damage.
Here’s a breakdown of the ideal planting windows for your favorite cold-hardy vegetables.
1. Peas, Lettuce, and Spinach: Early April
You can start planting peas, lettuce, and spinach in early April, as soon as the soil is workable and not waterlogged.
The soil temperature just needs to be above 40°F for these seeds to germinate, which usually happens by early April in Colorado Springs.
So, when to plant in Colorado Springs for peas? Definitely around April 1st, and you can even plant them in late March if the ground is dry enough.
These crops will bolt (go to seed) in the summer heat, so the earlier you plant, the better your harvest.
2. Broccoli, Cabbage, and Cauliflower: Mid-April
Transplants of broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower can go in the ground around mid-April, about two weeks before the last frost date.
These plants are semi-hardy, meaning they can survive a light frost but not a hard freeze.
If you’re wondering when to plant in Colorado Springs for these brassicas, plan for April 15th to April 20th.
You can also start seeds indoors in March and then transplant them out once the soil has warmed up a bit.
3. Potatoes and Onions: Early to Mid-April
Potatoes and onions are classic cool-season crops, and when to plant in Colorado Springs for them is early to mid-April.
Potato pieces can go in the ground as soon as the soil is workable, usually around April 10th.
Onion sets and seedlings are also planted in early April, and they’ll tolerate the cool nights just fine.
Just make sure you don’t plant them too late, because they need cool weather to develop their roots and bulbs.
When to Plant Warm-Season Crops in Colorado Springs
Warm-season crops are the most sensitive to frost, so when to plant in Colorado Springs for these is strictly tied to your last frost date.
You’ll need to wait until the soil has warmed up to at least 60°F, and the night temperatures stay consistently above 50°F.
Here’s the timeline for your summer favorites.
1. Tomatoes, Peppers, and Eggplant: Mid-May
These heat-lovers should not go in the ground until after Mother’s Day, which is usually the safest bet for when to plant in Colorado Springs.
The ideal window is May 10th to May 20th, once the danger of frost has passed.
If you plant them too early, a cold snap can stunt their growth or kill them outright.
You can get a head start by hardening off your seedlings indoors for a week before transplanting them.
2. Corn, Beans, and Squash: Late May
For corn, beans, and summer squash, when to plant in Colorado Springs is late May, usually around May 25th.
These seeds need warm soil to germinate, and they’re very sensitive to cold soil temperatures.
If the soil is below 60°F, the seeds may rot in the ground instead of sprouting.
So, wait until the soil has had a chance to warm up, and you’ll have a much better success rate.
3. Pumpkins and Winter Squash: Early June
Because these vining crops take a long time to mature, when to plant in Colorado Springs for pumpkins is usually early June.
This is a bit later than other warm-season crops because they need the longest, warmest stretch of the season.
If you plant them in early June, they’ll have enough time to mature before the first fall frost in late September.
Just keep in mind that our cooler nights can slow their growth, so choose varieties with shorter maturity dates.
Extending Your Season: Tips for When to Plant in Colorado Springs
You don’t have to be limited by the frost dates if you use a few tricks to protect your plants and extend your garden.
Knowing when to plant in Colorado Springs is just the first step; you can also use season-extending tools to get an earlier start or a later finish.
Here are some practical tips to make the most of your growing window.
1. Use Row Covers or Cold Frames
Row covers and cold frames allow you to plant two to three weeks earlier in the spring.
These simple structures trap heat and protect seedlings from light frosts.
So, if you want to push when to plant in Colorado Springs earlier, invest in a few row covers.
You can also use them in the fall to protect your crops from that first frost and extend your harvest into October.
2. Start Seeds Indoors
For warm-season crops, starting seeds indoors in March or early April is a game-changer.
This gives your plants a 6-8 week head start, so they’re strong and ready to go when it’s time to transplant.
When to plant in Colorado Springs for indoor seeding? Start peppers and eggplants in early March, and tomatoes in late March.
This way, you’ll have healthy transplants to put in the ground by mid-May.
3. Plant Successive Crops
For cool-season crops, you can plant successive rounds every two to three weeks.
This means you can keep planting lettuce and radishes from early April through early September.
When to plant in Colorado Springs for a continuous harvest? Just stagger your plantings so you always have something new coming up.
This works great in our climate because you can grow cool-season crops in both spring and fall, with a break during the hottest summer months.
So, When to Plant in Colorado Springs?
When to plant in Colorado Springs ultimately comes down to understanding your frost dates and your crop’s tolerance to cold.
You should plant cool-season crops in early April and warm-season crops in mid-to-late May after the last frost.
For fall harvests, plant cool-season crops again in late July or early August.
By following these timelines and using season extenders, you can enjoy a productive garden from spring through fall.
So, mark your calendar, get your soil ready, and start planting when to plant in Colorado Springs matches your crop’s needs.
Happy gardening, and may your harvest be bountiful.