Frost dates for 50028Baxter, IA
The average last spring frost in Baxter is April 22 and the average first fall frost is October 17, giving a typical growing season of about 174 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 22
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 17
- Growing season
- 174 days
Safer after May 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 177 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 19 · May 2 · May 13 | Sep 21 · Oct 4 · Oct 18 | 156 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 22 · May 4 | Oct 1 · Oct 17 · Oct 28 | 174 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 30 · Apr 12 · Apr 25 | Oct 14 · Oct 26 · Nov 6 | 194 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Baxter
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 22 – May 28 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – Jun 27 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 7 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 22 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jul 30 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 27 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 7 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 7 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 22 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 7 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jun 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Jun 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Sep 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Apr 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 23 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 7 – Nov 7 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 50028 is matched to the NOAA station Newton, IA, 16.1 km away, at 960 ft elevation (37 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newton, IA (used) | 960 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 17 |
| Colo, IA | 1,000 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 12 |
| Des Moines 17 E, IA | 921 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 15 |
| Marshalltown, IA | 870 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 7 |
Frost dates near Baxter
- Ira, IA 50127 · last Apr 22, first Oct 17
- Rhodes, IA 50234 · last Apr 24, first Oct 12
- Mingo, IA 50168 · last Apr 22, first Oct 17
- Melbourne, IA 50162 · last Apr 24, first Oct 12
- Collins, IA 50055 · last Apr 24, first Oct 12
- Newton, IA 50208 · last Apr 22, first Oct 17
- Colfax, IA 50054 · last Apr 21, first Oct 15
- Haverhill, IA 50120 · last Apr 28, first Oct 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Baxter, IA?
- For ZIP code 50028, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 22, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Newton, IA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 4.
- When is the first frost in Baxter, IA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 17. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 50028?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 174 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.