Frost dates for 50134Kelley, IA
The average last spring frost in Kelley is April 26 and the average first fall frost is October 8, giving a typical growing season of about 164 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 26
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 8
- Growing season
- 164 days
Safer after May 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 181 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 21 · May 5 · May 17 | Sep 15 · Sep 28 · Oct 11 | 146 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 11 · Apr 26 · May 9 | Sep 23 · Oct 8 · Oct 21 | 164 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 14 · May 1 | Oct 4 · Oct 19 · Oct 31 | 184 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Kelley
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 26 – Jun 1 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jun 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jul 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 18 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 11 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 11 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 26 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 11 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jun 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 29 – Jun 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Jun 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 29 – Jul 14 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 28 – Oct 29 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 50134 is matched to the NOAA station Ames Muni Ap, IA, 6 km away, at 930 ft elevation (97 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ames Muni Ap, IA (used) | 930 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 8 |
| Ames 5 Se, IA | 870 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 12 |
| Ames 8 Wsw, IA | 1,099 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 14 |
| Boone, IA | 1,035 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 12 |
Frost dates near Kelley
- Huxley, IA 50124 · last Apr 26, first Oct 12
- Slater, IA 50244 · last Apr 26, first Oct 8
- Ames, IA 50012 · last Apr 26, first Oct 8
- Sheldahl, IA 50243 · last Apr 19, first Oct 18
- Cambridge, IA 50046 · last Apr 26, first Oct 12
- Luther, IA 50152 · last Apr 23, first Oct 14
- Alleman, IA 50007 · last Apr 23, first Oct 15
- Madrid, IA 50156 · last Apr 28, first Oct 12
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Kelley, IA?
- For ZIP code 50134, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ames Muni Ap, IA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 9.
- When is the first frost in Kelley, IA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 8. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 23, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 50134?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 164 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.