Frost dates for ZIP 81121 (Arboles, CO)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Ignacio 6ESE, CO (8 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMay 2350% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostSep 2950% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)128 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone6b-5 to 0°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 17, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
47°F Below 50°F
24-hour average · latest 50°F, as of Oct 17, 9:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Cortez 8 SE (62 mi).
4-inch depth
48°F Below 50°F
24-hour average · latest 50°F, as of Oct 17, 9:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Cortez 8 SE (62 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 81121 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 48°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent window is mostly past. Next: spring, when soil reaches 50°F (typically mid-April to mid-May).
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: Mountain West and High Plains. Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Kentucky bluegrass (cool-season): Early fall: Around Labor Day (late August–September); Late fall: Late October–November, before the ground freezes; Late spring: Optional around Memorial Day. Avoid: Early-spring and midsummer feeding (pushes top growth, favors crabgrass).
Plant now
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | May 9 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | May 23 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Jun 7 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Sep 18 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Sep 29 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 11 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Jun 5 | Sep 21 |
| 32°F (freeze) | May 23 | Sep 29 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | May 7 | Oct 8 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 81121
Dates count from your average last spring frost (May 23) and first fall frost (Sep 29). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 28–Apr 11 | May 30–Jun 13 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Mar 14–28 | Jun 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Mar 14–28 | Jun 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Mar 28–Apr 11 | May 30–Jun 13 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Mar 28–Apr 11 | May 2–23 (transplant) Apr 25–Jun 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 4–25 (transplant) Jul 21–Aug 18 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Apr 11–May 2 (sow outdoors) | Aug 4–25 (sowing) |
| Kale | Mar 28–Apr 11 | Apr 25–May 9 (transplant) Apr 25–May 9 (sow outdoors) | Jul 7–Aug 4 (transplant) Jun 23–Jul 21 (sowing) |
| Collards | Mar 28–Apr 11 | Apr 25–May 23 (transplant) Apr 25–May 23 (sow outdoors) | Jul 7–Aug 4 (transplant) Jun 23–Jul 21 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Mar 14–28 | Apr 25–May 9 (transplant) | Jun 23–Jul 21 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Mar 14–28 | Apr 25–May 9 (transplant) | Jun 23–Jul 21 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Mar 14–28 | May 9–23 (transplant) | Jun 23–Jul 21 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Feb 28–Mar 14 | Apr 25–May 9 (transplant) | Jun 9–30 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 28–Apr 11 | Apr 25–May 9 (transplant) Apr 25–May 9 (sow outdoors) | Jul 21–Aug 4 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Apr 25–May 9 (sow outdoors) | Aug 4–18 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Apr 25–May 23 (sow outdoors) | Aug 4–Sep 1 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Apr 25–May 16 (sow outdoors) | Aug 4–18 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Apr 11–25 | May 9–30 (transplant) May 9–Jun 6 (sow outdoors) | Jul 21–Aug 4 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Apr 25–May 23 (sow outdoors) | Jul 21–Aug 4 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | May 2–30 (sow outdoors) | Jul 7–21 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Apr 18–May 30 (sow outdoors) | Aug 18–Sep 1 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Apr 25–May 16 (sow outdoors) | Jul 21–Aug 4 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | May 2–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Mar 28–Apr 25 (sow outdoors) | Jul 7–21 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Feb 28–Mar 14 | Apr 11–25 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Apr 11–May 9 (sow outdoors) | Jul 21–Aug 4 (sowing) |
| Leek | Feb 28–Mar 14 | Apr 25–May 9 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Aug 18–Sep 15 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Apr 11–25 (transplant) | Aug 18–Sep 15 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Apr 25–May 9 (transplant) | Jun 9–23 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jun 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | May 30–Jun 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | May 30–Jun 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | May 30–Jun 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Jun 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jun 13–Jul 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Apr 25–May 2 | May 30–Jun 13 (transplant) May 30–Jun 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Apr 25–May 2 | May 30–Jun 13 (transplant) May 30–Jun 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Apr 25–May 2 | May 30–Jun 13 (transplant) May 30–Jun 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | May 30–Jun 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Apr 25–May 2 | Jun 6–20 (transplant) Jun 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Apr 25–May 2 | Jun 6–20 (transplant) Jun 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Apr 11–25 | Jun 6–20 (transplant) Jun 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Feb 28–Mar 14 | May 30–Jun 6 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Apr 11–25 | May 30–Jun 13 (transplant) May 30–Jun 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | May 9–Jun 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 4–18 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Mar 14–28 | May 9–23 (transplant) May 2–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | May 23–Jun 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 4–18 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | May 23–Jun 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Apr 25–May 9 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Apr 25–May 9 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Apr 25–May 9 (transplant) | Jul 21–Aug 18 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Plants that do well here
Colorado has a university or garden plant program: Plant Select®. Plant frost-tender annuals after May 23 here (the average last frost). Not affiliated with the program.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Ignacio 6ESE, CO (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00054254), elevation 6,548 ft, 7.8 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Navajo Dam, NM | 18 mi | Apr 27 | Oct 19 |
| Durango La Plata Co AP, CO | 21 mi | Jun 1 | Sep 27 |
| Dulce, NM | 24 mi | Jun 9 | Sep 22 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 44 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 81121
When is the last frost in 81121?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 81121 is May 23. For a more cautious planting date, use June 7, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 81121?
The average first fall freeze is September 29. In 1 year in 10 it comes by September 18.
What hardiness zone is 81121?
ZIP 81121 is in USDA zone 6b (-5 to 0°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 81121 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
81137 Southern Ute 87419 Navajo Dam 81122 Bayfield 81303 81147 Piedra 87412 Blanco 87410 Aztec 87528 Dulce
Other ZIP codes in Archuleta County
81128 81147 All Archuleta County frost dates · Colorado frost dates
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