When to plant in Aurora, CO
USDA Zone 6aAurora, Colorado frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
In zone 6a, Aurora gardeners can grow many hardy perennials, while the last and first frost still dictate the annual vegetable calendar.
Frost probability
CHERRY CREEK DAM · 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 Aurora’s own odds, recorded at CHERRY CREEK DAM.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Jun 1 | May 18 | May 7 | Sep 18 | Sep 30 | Oct 12 |
| 32°F | May 21 | May 7 | Apr 26 | Sep 25 | Oct 8 | Oct 19 |
| 28°F | May 10 | Apr 29 | Apr 11 | Sep 30 | Oct 15 | Oct 27 |
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 Aurora, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 15 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.
Aurora planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Aurora, CO?
Plan for the last spring frost in Aurora around May 7 (the date it has a 50% chance of a 32°F freeze). Anything frost-sensitive should go out after it.
When is the first fall frost in Aurora, CO?
The first fall frost in Aurora typically arrives around October 8 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Aurora in?
Aurora 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 Aurora?
Aurora has about 154 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (May 7) and first fall frost (October 8).
When should I plant tomatoes in Aurora?
For Aurora, sow tomatoes indoors about March 12–March 26 and move the seedlings out around May 14, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Aurora
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Aurora’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Four Square Mile · 15 km
- Denver · 15 km
- Cherry Creek · 17 km
- Centennial · 18 km
- Greenwood Village · 19 km
- Commerce City · 20 km
- Parker · 23 km
- Lone Tree · 24 km
Frost dates recorded at CHERRY CREEK DAM, 13 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 Aurora, CO — Frost Dates & Zone 6a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00051547. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/colorado/aurora.