Frost dates for 50020Anita, IA
The average last spring frost in Anita is April 30 and the average first fall frost is October 2, giving a typical growing season of about 153 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 30
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 2
- Growing season
- 153 days
Safer after May 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 185 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 27 · May 9 · May 23 | Sep 11 · Sep 25 · Oct 7 | 138 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 17 · Apr 30 · May 15 | Sep 17 · Oct 2 · Oct 16 | 153 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 22 · May 5 | Sep 27 · Oct 12 · Oct 27 | 171 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Anita
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Mar 30 – Jun 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jun 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 23 – Jun 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Jun 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 23 – Jul 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 22 – Oct 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 50020 is matched to the NOAA station Atlantic 1 Ne, IA, 19.1 km away, at 1,152 ft elevation (121 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic 1 Ne, IA (used) | 1,152 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 2 |
| Audubon, IA | 1,280 ft | May 2 | Oct 3 |
| Greenfield, IA | 1,316 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 12 |
| Guthrie Ctr, IA | 1,065 ft | May 2 | Oct 3 |
Frost dates near Anita
- Wiota, IA 50274 · last Apr 30, first Oct 2
- Adair, IA 50002 · last Apr 25, first Oct 12
- Exira, IA 50076 · last May 2, first Oct 3
- Brayton, IA 50042 · last May 2, first Oct 3
- Atlantic, IA 50022 · last Apr 30, first Oct 2
- Cumberland, IA 50843 · last Apr 30, first Oct 2
- Massena, IA 50853 · last Apr 30, first Oct 2
- Casey, IA 50048 · last May 2, first Oct 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Anita, IA?
- For ZIP code 50020, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Atlantic 1 Ne, IA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 15.
- When is the first frost in Anita, IA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 2. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 17, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 50020?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 153 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.