When to plant pawpaw in Colorado
Colorado spans USDA zones 5b–7a, so the right time to plant pawpaw shifts by weeks across the state. The window to transplant seedlings outdoors runs from about March 17 in Grand Junction to May 24 in Edwards — below are local dates for 70 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Transplant out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver | 6a | May 4 | October 8 | April 6 – April 20 |
| Colorado Springs | 6a | May 3 | October 8 | April 5 – April 19 |
| Aurora | 6a | May 7 | October 8 | April 9 – April 23 |
| Fort Collins | 5b | May 2 | October 7 | April 4 – April 18 |
| Lakewood | 6a | May 3 | October 7 | April 5 – April 19 |
| Thornton | 6a | May 2 | October 11 | April 4 – April 18 |
| Arvada | 6a | May 5 | October 5 | April 7 – April 21 |
| Westminster | 6a | May 2 | October 11 | April 4 – April 18 |
Pawpaw in Colorado: FAQ
When can I plant pawpaw in Colorado?
Across Colorado, the time to transplant pawpaw spans roughly March 17 in Grand Junction to May 24 in Edwards, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the pawpaw planting date vary across Colorado?
Yes. Colorado publishes 70 cities with their own frost dates, so the right pawpaw planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
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