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Loveland, CO Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 5b · ZIP 80537 · elevation 1594′ · NOAA & USDA data

Loveland is in USDA hardiness zone 5b (winters can dip to -15 to -10°F), with a growing season of about 141 days between the average last spring frost (May 12) and first fall frost (October 1). The warmest month is July (avg high 86.6°F); the coldest is January (avg low 14.9°F). It averages 16.8″ of precipitation a year and 40″ 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
5b
min temp -15 to -10°F
Last spring frost
May 12
avg (50% prob, 32°F)
First fall frost
October 1
avg (50% prob, 32°F)
Growing season
141 days
frost-free window
Warmest month
July
avg high 86.6°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Loveland

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Waterdale, CO (3 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

MonthAvg highAvg lowMeanPrecip (in)Snow (in)
January 43.5 14.9 29.2 0.5 5.1
February 44.6 16.6 30.6 0.6 7.2
March 53.5 24.7 39.1 1.2 6.3
April 59.8 31.2 45.5 1.9 4.7
May 68.3 40.8 54.5 3 0.7
June 80.3 48.8 64.5 1.7 0
July 86.6 54.6 70.6 1.9 0
August 84 53.2 68.6 1.7 0
September 76.4 45 60.7 1.7 0.8
October 63.3 33.6 48.4 1.2 2.8
November 51.4 23.9 37.6 0.8 6
December 43.1 15.5 29.3 0.5 6.4

What to plant when in Loveland

CropSeasonWhat to do & when
TomatoeswarmStart seeds indoors: March 31 · Transplant out: May 19
PepperswarmStart seeds indoors: March 17 · Transplant out: May 26
CucumberswarmDirect sow: May 19
Zucchini / squashwarmDirect sow: May 19
Bush beanswarmDirect sow: May 19
Sweet cornwarmDirect sow: May 19
BasilwarmTransplant out: May 19
PeascoolSow (spring): April 7 · Sow (fall): August 6
SpinachcoolSow (spring): March 31 · Sow (fall): August 6
LettucecoolSow (spring): April 14 · Sow (fall): August 6
KalecoolTransplant (spring): April 21 · Sow (fall): July 23
BroccolicoolTransplant (spring): April 28
CarrotscoolSow (spring): April 21 · Sow (fall): July 23
OnionscoolTransplant (spring): April 14
PotatoescoolPlant seed potatoes: April 28
RadishescoolSow (spring): April 14 · Sow (fall): August 20

Dates are computed from Loveland'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

Fort Collins, COLongmont, COBoulder, COGreeley, COBroomfield, COThornton, COWestminster, COArvada, 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 — Waterdale, CO, 3 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Waterdale, CO, 3 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.