Frost dates for 50527Curlew, IA
The average last spring frost in Curlew is April 27 and the average first fall frost is October 7, giving a typical growing season of about 164 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 27
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 7
- Growing season
- 164 days
Safer after May 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 182 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 23 · May 5 · May 18 | Sep 15 · Sep 29 · Oct 12 | 145 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 11 · Apr 27 · May 9 | Sep 23 · Oct 7 · Oct 22 | 164 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 16 · Apr 30 | Oct 2 · Oct 20 · Nov 1 | 185 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Curlew
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 27 – Jun 2 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jun 17 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 27 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jul 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 17 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 12 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 12 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jun 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 28 – Jun 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Jun 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – Jun 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 28 – Jul 13 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 27 – Oct 28 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 50527 is matched to the NOAA station Emmetsburg, IA, 18 km away, at 1,225 ft elevation (68 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emmetsburg, IA (used) | 1,225 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 7 |
| Sioux Rapids 4 E, IA | 1,420 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 5 |
| Pocahontas, IA | 1,212 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 7 |
| Spencer 1 N, IA | 1,326 ft | May 1 | Oct 3 |
Frost dates near Curlew
- Ayrshire, IA 50515 · last Apr 27, first Oct 7
- Mallard, IA 50562 · last Apr 27, first Oct 7
- Laurens, IA 50554 · last Apr 26, first Oct 7
- Havelock, IA 50546 · last Apr 26, first Oct 7
- Webb, IA 51366 · last Apr 30, first Oct 5
- Plover, IA 50573 · last Apr 26, first Oct 7
- Emmetsburg, IA 50536 · last Apr 27, first Oct 7
- Marathon, IA 50565 · last Apr 30, first Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Curlew, IA?
- For ZIP code 50527, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 27, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Emmetsburg, IA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 9.
- When is the first frost in Curlew, IA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 7. 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 50527?
- 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.