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When to Plant Mint in Montezuma County, CO

Mint is a vigorous perennial herb with refreshing, aromatic leaves used in teas, cocktails, and cooking. It spreads aggressively by underground runners.

Montezuma County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 27 and the first fall frost is September 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 123 days.

At an elevation of 8,063 feet, Montezuma County receives approximately 15.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Mint to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Mint successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Montezuma County, CO (Zone 5b) Short season
123 days
Last Spring Frost May 27
123 growing days
First Fall Frost September 27

Montezuma County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 26 🍅 Harvest: Jul 28 – Oct 6
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 3 🍅 Harvest: Aug 5 – Oct 14
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 20 🍅 Harvest: Aug 22 – Oct 31

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
You supply
1.2″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,289 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Mint needs ~975 GDD — county provides 1,599 GDD Excellent fit

Mint Planting Timeline โ€” Montezuma County, CO

Mint Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 3 Jun 3 โ€“ Jun 17
Harvest August 5 Aug 5 โ€“ Oct 14

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 8" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May โ€”
June Transplant Outdoors
July โ€”
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

Water

High โ€” keep soil consistently moist

Days to Maturity

60โ€“90 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 5b

Growing Season

123 days

Growing Tips for Montezuma County

Always grow mint in containers or with underground barriers to control spreading. Harvest regularly to keep plants compact. Cut plants back in late summer for a fresh fall flush.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Parsley

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Mint in Montezuma County, CO?

Montezuma County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 27. Plan your Mint planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Montezuma County, CO?

Montezuma County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 27 and first fall frost is September 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Montezuma County gardeners in Zone 5b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Montezuma County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.