Frost dates for 50125Indianola, IA
The average last spring frost in Indianola is April 24 and the average first fall frost is October 12, giving a typical growing season of about 168 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 24
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 12
- Growing season
- 168 days
Safer after May 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 172 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 19 | Sep 19 · Oct 2 · Oct 15 | 149 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 11 · Apr 24 · May 8 | Sep 27 · Oct 12 · Oct 26 | 168 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 14 · Apr 29 | Oct 6 · Oct 21 · Nov 4 | 188 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Indianola
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 22 |
| 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 2 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 24 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jul 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 22 |
| 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 12 – Jun 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Jun 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Sep 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – Apr 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jun 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 18 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 2 – Nov 2 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 50125 is matched to the NOAA station Indianola 2W, IA, 7.7 km away, at 924 ft elevation (48 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indianola 2W, IA (used) | 924 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 12 |
| Des Moines Intl Ap, IA | 957 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 20 |
| Osceola, IA | 1,028 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 9 |
| Winterset 1S, IA | 1,100 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 3 |
Frost dates near Indianola
- Milo, IA 50166 · last Apr 24, first Oct 12
- Saint Marys, IA 50241 · last Apr 24, first Oct 12
- Martensdale, IA 50160 · last Apr 24, first Oct 12
- Liberty Center, IA 50145 · last Apr 24, first Oct 12
- Prole, IA 50229 · last Apr 24, first Oct 12
- New Virginia, IA 50210 · last Apr 29, first Oct 9
- Bevington, IA 50033 · last Apr 24, first Oct 12
- Ackworth, IA 50001 · last Apr 21, first Oct 15
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Indianola, IA?
- For ZIP code 50125, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 24, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Indianola 2W, IA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 8.
- When is the first frost in Indianola, IA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 12. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 27, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 50125?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 168 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.