When to plant in Clifton, CO
USDA Zone 7aHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Clifton, Colorado — all computed from Clifton's nearest NOAA weather station.
In zone 7a, Clifton supports a wide range of perennials year-round; the frost dates above are what set your annual vegetable timing.
Frost probability
GRAND JUNCTION 6ESE · 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 Clifton’s own odds, recorded at GRAND JUNCTION 6ESE.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 20 | May 3 | Apr 21 | Sep 28 | Oct 10 | Oct 25 |
| 32°F | May 9 | Apr 23 | Apr 6 | Oct 5 | Oct 20 | Nov 5 |
| 28°F | Apr 25 | Apr 8 | Mar 18 | Oct 14 | Nov 1 | Nov 15 |
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 Clifton, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 9 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.
Clifton planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Clifton, CO?
Clifton's average last spring frost falls near April 23 — the 50% mark at 32°F in the 1991–2020 normals. Hold tender transplants until the risk has passed, then plant out.
When is the first fall frost in Clifton, CO?
Expect Clifton's first fall frost near October 20 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Clifton in?
Clifton is in USDA hardiness zone 7a. In zone 7a, winters are moderate — most common vegetables grow well in season.
How long is the growing season in Clifton?
Clifton has about 180 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 23) and first fall frost (October 20).
When should I plant tomatoes in Clifton?
For Clifton, sow tomatoes indoors about February 26–March 12 and move the seedlings out around April 30, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Clifton
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Clifton’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Grand Junction · 9 km
- Fruita · 25 km
- Rifle · 78 km
- Montrose · 85 km
- Glenwood Springs · 109 km
- Edwards · 169 km
- Vernal · 178 km
- Durango · 208 km
Frost dates recorded at GRAND JUNCTION 6ESE, 4 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 Clifton, CO — Frost Dates & Zone 7a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00053489. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/colorado/clifton.