Laramie, WY Frost Dates
Average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and growing season length for Laramie, Wyoming.
Gardening in Laramie
At 7,200 feet on the Laramie Plains, this is among the most extreme gardening environments for any university town in America.
Zone 4b with only 110 frost-free days. The high-altitude cold, persistent wind, and intense UV create genuine growing challenges. But the University of Wyoming's agricultural programs provide expertise, and the Laramie Valley's short but intense summer produces food of remarkable quality.
UW's research programs help Laramie gardeners push limits. The Albany County community's determination to grow food at 7,200 feet is genuinely impressive.
What This Means for Laramie Gardeners
The average last spring frost in Laramie is around May 25, and the average first fall frost arrives around September 12. That gives you approximately 110 frost-free days to work with.
110 frost-free days means every warm day counts. Focus on cold-hardy crops that thrive in your moderate temperatures: kale, lettuce, peas, radishes, potatoes, and root vegetables. For warm-season crops, choose only the shortest-season varieties (sub-65-day tomatoes, 55-day beans) and start everything indoors. Season extension — row covers, cold frames, plastic mulch — isn't a luxury here, it's essential infrastructure.
These dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normal data for the Laramie area. Your actual frost dates could shift 2-3 weeks in either direction in any given year. Learn more about our data sources.
What to Grow in Laramie
With 110 frost-free days, Laramie gardeners need to plan strategically — start warm-season crops indoors and choose short-season varieties. Cool-season crops are your strength, thriving in the moderate temperatures that define your growing window. Recommended starting points: kale, lettuce, peas, carrots, potatoes, radishes, garlic, and short-season tomatoes.
See the full Wyoming planting guide for all 40 plants: Wyoming Planting Calendar. Or enter your zip code for exact planting dates personalized to Laramie.
More About Zone 4B
Laramie is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4B, which means average annual extreme minimum temperatures between -25°F to -20°F. View the full Zone 4B planting guide.
See the complete planting calendar for Wyoming: Wyoming Planting Calendar.
Other Cities in Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
These dates are based on NOAA's 30-year Climate Normal data for the Laramie area. They represent historical averages, not predictions. In any given year, the actual last frost could be 2-3 weeks earlier or later. Microclimates within Laramie (urban heat islands, hilltops, low-lying valleys) can also shift your local frost dates by a week or more.
Start everything possible indoors — your 110-day season doesn't leave room for a slow start. Direct sow only the fastest, hardiest crops (radishes, lettuce, peas) 3-4 weeks before last frost (May 25). Choose short-season varieties for warm crops. Enter your zip code for exact dates.