When to plant in Arvada, CO
USDA Zone 6aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Arvada, Colorado — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
Zone 6a means Arvada sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
Frost probability
WHEAT RIDGE 2 · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Arvada’s own odds, recorded at WHEAT RIDGE 2.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 31 | May 16 | May 5 | Sep 13 | Sep 26 | Oct 7 |
| 32°F | May 18 | May 5 | Apr 24 | Sep 20 | Oct 5 | Oct 18 |
| 28°F | May 9 | Apr 25 | Apr 11 | Sep 28 | Oct 14 | Oct 26 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Arvada, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 10 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Arvada planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Arvada, CO?
On average, the last spring frost in Arvada is around May 5 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Arvada, CO?
In Arvada, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around October 5 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Arvada in?
Arvada is in USDA hardiness zone 6a. In zone 6a, winters are moderate — most common vegetables grow well in season.
How long is the growing season in Arvada?
There are roughly 153 frost-free days in Arvada (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around May 5 to the first fall frost near October 5.
When should I plant tomatoes in Arvada?
In Arvada, start tomato seeds indoors around March 10–March 24, then transplant seedlings outdoors around May 12 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Arvada
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Arvada’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Wheat Ridge · 8 km
- Westminster · 9 km
- Berkley · 11 km
- Superior · 11 km
- Golden · 11 km
- Federal Heights · 12 km
- Sherrelwood · 13 km
- Louisville · 15 km
Frost dates recorded at WHEAT RIDGE 2, 7 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Arvada, CO — Frost Dates & Zone 6a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00058995. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/colorado/arvada.