Frost Dates & Planting Calendars in Iowa
Typical last spring frost, first fall frost, and growing-season length for 45 cities in Iowa, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. Click a city for its full frost-date summary, monthly temperature chart, and 42-crop planting calendar.
| City | Last Spring Frost (typical) | First Fall Frost (typical) | Growing Season | USDA Zone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | April 18 | October 20 | 184 days | 5b |
| Cedar Rapids | April 28 | October 12 | 166 days | 5b |
| Davenport | April 19 | October 22 | 184 days | 5b |
| Sioux City | April 29 | October 7 | 161 days | 5a |
| Iowa City | April 21 | October 18 | 180 days | 5b |
| Waterloo | April 27 | October 10 | 165 days | 5a |
| Ames | April 26 | October 8 | 164 days | 5b |
| West Des Moines | April 18 | October 20 | 184 days | 5b |
| Council Bluffs | April 18 | October 21 | 185 days | 5b |
| Dubuque | April 19 | October 21 | 184 days | 5a |
| Ankeny | April 23 | October 15 | 173 days | 5b |
| Urbandale | April 18 | October 20 | 184 days | 5b |
| Cedar Falls | April 27 | October 10 | 165 days | 5a |
| Marion | April 28 | October 12 | 166 days | 5a |
| Bettendorf | April 19 | October 22 | 184 days | 5b |
| Marshalltown | April 28 | October 7 | 162 days | 5a |
| Mason City | April 29 | October 7 | 161 days | 5a |
| Clinton | April 13 | October 26 | 195 days | 5b |
| Burlington | April 15 | October 20 | 187 days | 6a |
| Fort Dodge | April 28 | October 8 | 162 days | 5a |
| Ottumwa | April 23 | October 14 | 172 days | 5b |
| Muscatine | April 18 | October 24 | 188 days | 5b |
| Johnston | April 19 | October 18 | 179 days | 5b |
| Coralville | April 21 | October 18 | 180 days | 5b |
| Waukee | April 19 | October 18 | 179 days | 5b |
| Altoona | April 21 | October 15 | 174 days | 5b |
| North Liberty | April 21 | October 18 | 180 days | 5b |
| Indianola | April 24 | October 12 | 168 days | 5b |
| Clive | April 18 | October 20 | 184 days | 5b |
| Newton | April 22 | October 17 | 174 days | 5b |
| Boone | April 28 | October 12 | 165 days | 5a |
| Oskaloosa | April 21 | October 16 | 176 days | 5b |
| Spencer | May 1 | October 3 | 154 days | 5a |
| Storm Lake | April 25 | October 13 | 170 days | 5a |
| Fort Madison | April 12 | October 25 | 194 days | 6a |
| Grimes | April 19 | October 18 | 179 days | 5b |
| Keokuk | April 10 | October 27 | 198 days | 6a |
| Pella | April 20 | October 19 | 180 days | 5b |
| Norwalk | April 18 | October 20 | 184 days | 5b |
| Waverly | April 27 | October 10 | 165 days | 5a |
| Carroll | April 27 | October 10 | 166 days | 5a |
| Fairfield | April 27 | October 12 | 168 days | 5b |
| Le Mars | April 30 | October 4 | 157 days | 5a |
| Pleasant Hill | April 18 | October 20 | 184 days | 5b |
| Grinnell | May 3 | October 6 | 155 days | 5b |