When is the last frost in Arvada, CO?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Arvada is around May 5, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Wheat Ridge 2, CO station (1.4 mi away). Half of years it falls outside that date, so wait 1–2 weeks past it before setting out frost-tender plants.

When is the first fall frost in Arvada?

The average first fall frost in Arvada, CO is around October 5, giving roughly a 151-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Arvada, CO?

Arvada is in USDA plant hardiness zone 6a (average annual extreme minimum temperature -10 to -5°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Arvada?

In Arvada, CO the warmest month is July (avg high 88.2°F) and the coldest is December (avg low 16.7°F). It averages about 17.1″ of precipitation a year and 75.5″ of snow.

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Arvada, CO Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 6a · ZIP 80002 · elevation 1645′ · NOAA & USDA data

Arvada is in USDA hardiness zone 6a (winters can dip to -10 to -5°F), with a growing season of about 151 days between the average last spring frost (May 5) and first fall frost (October 5). The warmest month is July (avg high 88.2°F); the coldest is December (avg low 16.7°F). It averages 17.1″ of precipitation a year and 75.5″ of snow, mostly mid-winter. Start cool-season crops several weeks before the last frost; wait until after it for tomatoes, peppers and other tender crops.

Hardiness zone

min temp -10 to -5°F

Last spring frost

May 5

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

October 5

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

151 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 88.2°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Arvada

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Wheat Ridge 2, CO (1.4 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	47.2	17.1	32.2	0.6	9.6
February	48.3	18.3	33.3	0.8	11.9
March	56.6	25.9	41.2	1.5	12.9
April	61.9	33	47.5	2.3	12.1
May	70.9	42.5	56.7	2.7	2.2
June	82.5	51.1	66.8	1.7	0
July	88.2	56.8	72.5	1.9	0
August	86.3	54.5	70.4	1.6	0
September	79	45.2	62.1	1.3	1
October	66	33.6	49.8	1.2	5.9
November	54.8	23.9	39.4	0.9	10
December	46.6	16.7	31.6	0.6	9.9

What to plant when in Arvada

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: March 24 · Transplant out: May 12
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: March 10 · Transplant out: May 19
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: May 12
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: May 12
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: May 12
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: May 12
Basil	warm	Transplant out: May 12
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): March 31 · Sow (fall): August 10
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): March 24 · Sow (fall): August 10
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): April 7 · Sow (fall): August 10
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): April 14 · Sow (fall): July 27
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): April 21
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): April 14 · Sow (fall): July 27
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): April 7
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: April 21
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): April 7 · Sow (fall): August 24

Dates are computed from Arvada's average frost dates using standard cool-/warm-season timing. They're a starting point — a cold spring, a warm microclimate, or a fast-maturing variety can shift them by a week or two.

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Gear that helps you plant on time

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links (tag theboringthin-20). If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps this almanac free. We only list generic, genuinely-useful categories.

Soil thermometer →Know when the ground is warm enough to sow — the honest signal, not the calendar.Seed-starting trays + dome →Start tomatoes & peppers indoors on the schedule below.Seedling heat mat →Warms the soil for faster, more even germination indoors.Floating row cover / frost cloth →Buys you 4–8°F to beat an early or late frost.Raised garden bed kit →Warms and drains faster in spring than in-ground soil.Garden gloves →Basic kit for transplant day.

Nearby cities in Colorado

Westminster, CO Denver, CO Broomfield, CO Thornton, CO Aurora, CO Littleton, CO Commerce City, CO Boulder, CO

Sources & method. Hardiness zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). Frost dates & growing season: NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest station with published freeze normals — Wheat Ridge 2, CO, 1.4 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Wheat Ridge 2, CO, 1.4 mi (confidence: high). ZIP centroid from U.S. Census 2023 ZCTA data. Frost dates are the 50%-probability date — half of years frost occurs outside the stated date. Nothing here is invented; where the nearest station is far, we say so. Last updated 2026-07-22.