Frost dates for 51334Estherville, IA
The average last spring frost in Estherville is May 2 and the average first fall frost is September 30, giving a typical growing season of about 150 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 2
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 30
- Growing season
- 150 days
Safer after May 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 17 (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 29 · May 11 · May 23 | Sep 8 · Sep 21 · Oct 5 | 133 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 19 · May 2 · May 14 | Sep 17 · Sep 30 · Oct 13 | 150 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 24 · May 6 | Sep 26 · Oct 10 · Oct 23 | 170 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Estherville
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 | Apr 1 – Jun 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 10 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 20 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 10 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 31 – Jun 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 21 – Jun 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – Jun 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 21 – Jul 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 20 – Oct 21 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 51334 is matched to the NOAA station Estherville Muni Ap, IA, 5.8 km away, at 1,317 ft elevation (5 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estherville Muni Ap, IA (used) | 1,317 ft | May 2 | Sep 30 |
| Estherville 4E, IA | 1,320 ft | May 2 | Oct 3 |
| Sherburn 3Wsw, MN | 1,320 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 8 |
| Spirit Lake, IA | 1,420 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 11 |
Frost dates near Estherville
- Wallingford, IA 51365 · last May 2, first Oct 3
- Superior, IA 51363 · last Apr 28, first Oct 11
- Terril, IA 51364 · last Apr 28, first Oct 11
- Dunnell, MN 56127 · last May 2, first Sep 30
- Dolliver, IA 50531 · last May 2, first Sep 30
- Graettinger, IA 51342 · last Apr 27, first Oct 7
- Ceylon, MN 56121 · last Apr 25, first Oct 14
- Alpha, MN 56111 · last Apr 28, first Oct 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Estherville, IA?
- For ZIP code 51334, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Estherville Muni Ap, IA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 14.
- When is the first frost in Estherville, IA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 30. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 17, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 51334?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 150 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.