Frost dates for 50044Bussey, IA
The average last spring frost in Bussey is April 24 and the average first fall frost is October 16, giving a typical growing season of about 173 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 24
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 16
- Growing season
- 173 days
Safer after May 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 173 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 20 · May 4 · May 20 | Sep 20 · Oct 4 · Oct 18 | 153 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 24 · May 9 | Sep 29 · Oct 16 · Oct 28 | 173 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 29 · Apr 12 · Apr 29 | Oct 11 · Oct 26 · Nov 6 | 195 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Bussey
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 24 – May 30 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 10 – Jun 26 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 24 – Apr 24 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 6 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 24 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jul 29 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 26 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 9 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 9 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 24 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 9 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jun 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Jun 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Sep 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – Apr 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jun 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 22 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 6 – Nov 6 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 50044 is matched to the NOAA station Albia 3 Nne, IA, 18.4 km away, at 880 ft elevation (53 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albia 3 Nne, IA (used) | 880 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 16 |
| Knoxville, IA | 895 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 19 |
| Oskaloosa, IA | 830 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 16 |
| Chariton 1 E, IA | 965 ft | May 5 | Oct 5 |
Frost dates near Bussey
- Hamilton, IA 50116 · last Apr 20, first Oct 19
- Tracy, IA 50256 · last Apr 21, first Oct 16
- Lovilia, IA 50150 · last Apr 24, first Oct 16
- Harvey, IA 50119 · last Apr 20, first Oct 19
- Leighton, IA 50143 · last Apr 21, first Oct 16
- Beacon, IA 52534 · last Apr 21, first Oct 16
- Knoxville, IA 50138 · last Apr 20, first Oct 19
- Albia, IA 52531 · last Apr 24, first Oct 16
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Bussey, IA?
- For ZIP code 50044, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 24, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Albia 3 Nne, IA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 9.
- When is the first frost in Bussey, IA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 16. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 50044?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 173 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.