Frost dates for 50454Little Cedar, IA
The average last spring frost in Little Cedar is April 30 and the average first fall frost is October 9, giving a typical growing season of about 163 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 30
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 9
- Growing season
- 163 days
Safer after May 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 185 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 25 · May 8 · May 21 | Sep 17 · Sep 30 · Oct 12 | 144 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 14 · Apr 30 · May 12 | Sep 25 · Oct 9 · Oct 21 | 163 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 17 · Apr 30 | Oct 5 · Oct 20 · Nov 1 | 185 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Little Cedar
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 30 – Jun 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 19 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jun 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Jun 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 30 – Jul 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 29 – Oct 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 50454 is matched to the NOAA station Osage, IA, 13.9 km away, at 1,170 ft elevation (5 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Osage, IA (used) | 1,170 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 9 |
| Austin Waste Wtp Facility, MN | 1,199 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 5 |
| Charles City, IA | 993 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 6 |
| Grand Meadow, MN | 1,350 ft | May 6 | Oct 1 |
Frost dates near Little Cedar
- Toeterville, IA 50481 · last Apr 30, first Oct 9
- Stacyville, IA 50476 · last Apr 30, first Oct 9
- Mc Intire, IA 50455 · last Apr 30, first Oct 9
- Osage, IA 50461 · last Apr 30, first Oct 9
- Riceville, IA 50466 · last Apr 30, first Oct 9
- Saint Ansgar, IA 50472 · last Apr 30, first Oct 9
- Orchard, IA 50460 · last Apr 30, first Oct 9
- Adams, MN 55909 · last May 6, first Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Little Cedar, IA?
- For ZIP code 50454, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Osage, IA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 12.
- When is the first frost in Little Cedar, IA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 25, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 50454?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 163 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.