When to plant in Lakewood, CO
USDA Zone 6aLakewood, Colorado frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
Zone 6a means Lakewood sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
Frost probability
LAKEWOOD · 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 Lakewood’s own odds, recorded at LAKEWOOD.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 29 | May 14 | May 1 | Sep 16 | Sep 30 | Oct 12 |
| 32°F | May 18 | May 3 | Apr 19 | Sep 24 | Oct 7 | Oct 21 |
| 28°F | May 7 | Apr 22 | Apr 5 | Oct 1 | Oct 16 | Oct 30 |
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 Lakewood, 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.
Lakewood planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Lakewood, CO?
Lakewood's average last spring frost falls near May 3 — 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 Lakewood, CO?
The first fall frost in Lakewood typically arrives around October 7 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Lakewood in?
Lakewood 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 Lakewood?
There are roughly 157 frost-free days in Lakewood (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around May 3 to the first fall frost near October 7.
When should I plant tomatoes in Lakewood?
In Lakewood, start tomato seeds indoors around March 8–March 22, then transplant seedlings outdoors around May 10 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Lakewood
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Lakewood’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Wheat Ridge · 8 km
- Dakota Ridge · 9 km
- Golden · 9 km
- Englewood · 12 km
- Columbine · 13 km
- Ken Caryl · 14 km
- Berkley · 14 km
- Littleton · 15 km
Frost dates recorded at LAKEWOOD, 6 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 Lakewood, CO — Frost Dates & Zone 6a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00054762. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/colorado/lakewood.