Frost dates for 50568Newell, IA
The average last spring frost in Newell is April 25 and the average first fall frost is October 13, giving a typical growing season of about 170 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 25
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 13
- Growing season
- 170 days
Safer after May 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 180 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 22 · May 4 · May 16 | Sep 21 · Oct 3 · Oct 15 | 151 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 11 · Apr 25 · May 7 | Oct 1 · Oct 13 · Oct 25 | 170 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 15 · Apr 29 | Oct 11 · Oct 23 · Nov 5 | 190 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Newell
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 25 – May 31 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 23 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 25 – Apr 25 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 11 – May 10 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 3 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 25 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jul 26 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 23 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 10 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 10 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 25 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 10 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jun 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Jun 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Sep 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – Jun 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 19 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 3 – Nov 3 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 50568 is matched to the NOAA station Storm Lake, IA, 16.6 km away, at 1,442 ft elevation (172 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Storm Lake, IA (used) | 1,442 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 13 |
| Sac City, IA | 1,210 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 6 |
| Pocahontas, IA | 1,212 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 7 |
| Sioux Rapids 4 E, IA | 1,420 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 5 |
Frost dates near Newell
- Varina, IA 50593 · last Apr 26, first Oct 7
- Fonda, IA 50540 · last Apr 26, first Oct 7
- Nemaha, IA 50567 · last Apr 30, first Oct 6
- Storm Lake, IA 50588 · last Apr 25, first Oct 13
- Albert City, IA 50510 · last Apr 30, first Oct 5
- Truesdale, IA 50592 · last Apr 25, first Oct 13
- Sac City, IA 50583 · last Apr 30, first Oct 6
- Early, IA 50535 · last Apr 30, first Oct 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Newell, IA?
- For ZIP code 50568, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 25, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Storm Lake, IA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 7.
- When is the first frost in Newell, IA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 13. 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 50568?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 170 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.