When to plant in Rifle, CO
USDA Zone 6aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Rifle, Colorado — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
In zone 6a, Rifle gardeners can grow many hardy perennials, while the last and first frost still dictate the annual vegetable calendar.
Frost probability
RIFLE GARFIELD CO AP · 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 Rifle’s own odds, recorded at RIFLE GARFIELD CO AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Jun 8 | May 26 | May 12 | Sep 12 | Sep 25 | Oct 6 |
| 32°F | May 27 | May 11 | Apr 28 | Sep 23 | Oct 4 | Oct 17 |
| 28°F | May 11 | Apr 28 | Apr 14 | 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 Rifle, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 38 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.
Rifle planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Rifle, CO?
Rifle's average last spring frost falls near May 11 — 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 Rifle, CO?
The first fall frost in Rifle typically arrives around October 4 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Rifle in?
Rifle 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 Rifle?
Rifle has about 146 frost-free days — a short growing season — between the average last spring frost (May 11) and first fall frost (October 4).
When should I plant tomatoes in Rifle?
For Rifle, sow tomatoes indoors about March 16–March 30 and move the seedlings out around May 18, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Rifle
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Rifle’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Glenwood Springs · 37 km
- Clifton · 78 km
- Grand Junction · 85 km
- Fruita · 93 km
- Edwards · 99 km
- Montrose · 119 km
- Steamboat Springs · 132 km
- Vernal · 182 km
Frost dates recorded at RIFLE GARFIELD CO AP, 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 Rifle, CO — Frost Dates & Zone 6a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00003016. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/colorado/rifle.