Frost dates for 50559Lone Rock, IA
The average last spring frost in Lone Rock is April 30 and the average first fall frost is October 6, giving a typical growing season of about 160 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 30
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 6
- Growing season
- 160 days
Safer after May 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 23 (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 28 · May 9 · May 20 | Sep 16 · Sep 28 · Oct 10 | 142 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 16 · Apr 30 · May 11 | Sep 23 · Oct 6 · Oct 20 | 160 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 4 · Apr 20 · May 2 | Oct 2 · Oct 18 · Nov 1 | 180 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Lone Rock
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 16 |
| 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 26 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 19 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| 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 6 – Jun 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 27 – Jun 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Jun 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 27 – Jul 12 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 26 – Oct 27 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 50559 is matched to the NOAA station Algona, IA, 15.7 km away, at 1,214 ft elevation (23 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Algona, IA (used) | 1,214 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 6 |
| Emmetsburg, IA | 1,225 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 7 |
| Swea City 5N, IA | 1,180 ft | May 4 | Oct 1 |
| Estherville 4E, IA | 1,320 ft | May 2 | Oct 3 |
Frost dates near Lone Rock
- Fenton, IA 50539 · last Apr 30, first Oct 6
- Cylinder, IA 50528 · last Apr 27, first Oct 7
- Burt, IA 50522 · last Apr 30, first Oct 6
- Whittemore, IA 50598 · last Apr 30, first Oct 6
- Algona, IA 50511 · last Apr 30, first Oct 6
- Bancroft, IA 50517 · last May 4, first Oct 1
- Ringsted, IA 50578 · last May 2, first Oct 3
- West Bend, IA 50597 · last Apr 30, first Oct 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lone Rock, IA?
- For ZIP code 50559, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Algona, IA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 11.
- When is the first frost in Lone Rock, IA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 6. 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 50559?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 160 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.