Frost dates for 50323Urbandale, IA
The average last spring frost in Urbandale is April 19 and the average first fall frost is October 18, giving a typical growing season of about 179 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 19
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 18
- Growing season
- 179 days
Safer after May 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 174 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 15 · Apr 30 · May 13 | Sep 23 · Oct 7 · Oct 21 | 159 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 5 · Apr 19 · May 3 | Oct 1 · Oct 18 · Oct 30 | 179 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 25 · Apr 9 · Apr 23 | Oct 14 · Oct 27 · Nov 9 | 199 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Urbandale
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 19 – May 25 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 28 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 19 – Apr 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 8 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 19 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jul 31 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 28 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 4 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 4 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 19 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 4 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jun 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Jun 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Sep 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Apr 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jun 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 24 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 8 – Nov 8 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 50323 is matched to the NOAA station Des Moines Wsfo-Johnston, IA, 12.6 km away, at 959 ft elevation (12 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines Wsfo-Johnston, IA (used) | 959 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 18 |
| Des Moines Intl Ap, IA | 957 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 20 |
| Ankeny, IA | 975 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 15 |
| Indianola 2W, IA | 924 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 12 |
Frost dates near Urbandale
- Clive, IA 50325 · last Apr 18, first Oct 20
- Urbandale, IA 50322 · last Apr 19, first Oct 18
- Windsor Heights, IA 50324 · last Apr 18, first Oct 20
- West Des Moines, IA 50265 · last Apr 18, first Oct 20
- Johnston, IA 50131 · last Apr 19, first Oct 18
- Grimes, IA 50111 · last Apr 19, first Oct 18
- Des Moines, IA 50310 · last Apr 18, first Oct 20
- Waukee, IA 50263 · last Apr 18, first Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Urbandale, IA?
- For ZIP code 50323, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Des Moines Wsfo-Johnston, IA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 3.
- When is the first frost in Urbandale, IA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 18. 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 50323?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 179 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.