One of the problems I've had gardening in Colorado is figuring out the last frost date. When I was in Denver it was May 9. When I moved to Highlands Ranch, only 20 minutes south of Denver, I noticed that our spring came a couple of weeks later than when I lived in Denver. Most charts showing planting zones in the US were not specific enough for me to pinpoint our area and I found one of the issues I was dealing with was elevation. Denver is known as the Mile High City (5280') but it turns out my area is even higher, even though I live in the plains. I found a link today to weather stations planted around our area that gives a lot of information on latitude, longitude and elevation. What's even better is there's a street map with markers you can move to your actual GARDEN to get the above information. I realize this is not an issue for a lot of gardeners, but I find it very helpful. Here's the link: http://weather.gladstonefamily.net (Type in your city/state at the very top to find your markers).
Interesting, I found a reporting station a half mile away and 13 meters below my elevation. Thanks for the info! Jerry
The last frost date is an average, not an exact date. Our average is between March 11th to 20th, but some years we have been frost free as early as mid-January and a few years not frost free until the first week of April. I can pretty much plan on no more frosts/freezes after the Vernal Equinox. There are no sites close to me, two in my city are inactive. Randy says I ought to sign up to be a reporting sight, so I just might do that.
Oh I realize that, but with the frost date charts it's always hard to figure out where our town fits in and it was interesting for me to find out our elevation is what was throwing me off. Some charts say plant May 9, some say June 1 for our area in Colorado. That's quite a spread. Of course we've had snow in June, nothing is predicable about our weather.
Good, there are some I have talked to around here who believe that date is set in stone then complain like crazy when an early Spring cold snap takes out their annuals.
