Frost dates for 50250Stuart, IA
The average last spring frost in Stuart is May 2 and the average first fall frost is October 3, giving a typical growing season of about 153 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 2
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 3
- Growing season
- 153 days
Safer after May 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 187 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 30 · May 12 · May 26 | Sep 12 · Sep 25 · Oct 7 | 134 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 18 · May 2 · May 17 | Sep 20 · Oct 3 · Oct 18 | 153 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 23 · May 8 | Sep 30 · Oct 15 · Oct 28 | 173 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Stuart
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 | Apr 1 – Jun 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 13 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jun 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 24 – Jun 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – Jun 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 24 – Jul 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 23 – Oct 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 50250 is matched to the NOAA station Guthrie Ctr, IA, 23.6 km away, at 1,065 ft elevation (146 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guthrie Ctr, IA (used) | 1,065 ft | May 2 | Oct 3 |
| Greenfield, IA | 1,316 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 12 |
| Winterset 1S, IA | 1,100 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 3 |
| Perry, IA | 950 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 10 |
Frost dates near Stuart
- Menlo, IA 50164 · last May 2, first Oct 3
- Dexter, IA 50070 · last Apr 30, first Oct 3
- Redfield, IA 50233 · last Apr 25, first Oct 10
- Earlham, IA 50072 · last Apr 30, first Oct 3
- Casey, IA 50048 · last May 2, first Oct 3
- Linden, IA 50146 · last May 2, first Oct 3
- Panora, IA 50216 · last May 2, first Oct 3
- Greenfield, IA 50849 · last Apr 25, first Oct 12
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Stuart, IA?
- For ZIP code 50250, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Guthrie Ctr, IA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 17.
- When is the first frost in Stuart, IA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 20, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 50250?
- 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.