Frost dates for 50540Fonda, IA
The average last spring frost in Fonda is April 26 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 26
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 7
- Growing season
- 164 days
Safer after May 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 25 (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 23 · May 5 · May 18 | Sep 16 · Sep 28 · Oct 10 | 145 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 11 · Apr 26 · May 8 | Sep 25 · Oct 7 · Oct 20 | 164 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 16 · Apr 30 | Oct 3 · Oct 17 · Oct 30 | 182 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Fonda
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 17 |
| 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 27 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jul 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 17 |
| 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 7 – Jun 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 28 – Jun 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Jun 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 28 – Jul 13 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 27 – Oct 28 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 50540 is matched to the NOAA station Pocahontas, IA, 19.5 km away, at 1,212 ft elevation (5 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pocahontas, IA (used) | 1,212 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 7 |
| Sac City, IA | 1,210 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 6 |
| Rockwell City, IA | 1,214 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 10 |
| Storm Lake, IA | 1,442 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 13 |
Frost dates near Fonda
- Varina, IA 50593 · last Apr 26, first Oct 7
- Pomeroy, IA 50575 · last Apr 26, first Oct 10
- Newell, IA 50568 · last Apr 25, first Oct 13
- Jolley, IA 50551 · last Apr 26, first Oct 10
- Pocahontas, IA 50574 · last Apr 26, first Oct 7
- Lytton, IA 50561 · last Apr 30, first Oct 6
- Albert City, IA 50510 · last Apr 30, first Oct 5
- Sac City, IA 50583 · last Apr 30, first Oct 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Fonda, IA?
- For ZIP code 50540, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Pocahontas, IA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 8.
- When is the first frost in Fonda, IA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 7. 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 50540?
- 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.