Frost dates for 51536Hancock, IA
The average last spring frost in Hancock is April 23 and the average first fall frost is October 14, giving a typical growing season of about 174 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 23
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 14
- Growing season
- 174 days
Safer after May 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 178 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 20 · May 2 · May 14 | Sep 20 · Oct 4 · Oct 18 | 155 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 10 · Apr 23 · May 5 | Sep 30 · Oct 14 · Oct 27 | 174 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 15 · Apr 28 | Oct 11 · Oct 25 · Nov 6 | 193 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Hancock
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 23 – May 29 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jun 24 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 4 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jul 27 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 24 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 23 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 8 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jun 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Jun 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Sep 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Apr 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 20 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 4 – Nov 4 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 51536 is matched to the NOAA station Oakland, IA, 9.4 km away, at 1,260 ft elevation (10 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakland, IA (used) | 1,260 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 14 |
| Atlantic 1 Ne, IA | 1,152 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 2 |
| Harlan, IA | 1,270 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 9 |
| Red Oak, IA | 1,040 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 13 |
Frost dates near Hancock
- Oakland, IA 51560 · last Apr 23, first Oct 14
- Avoca, IA 51521 · last Apr 27, first Oct 9
- Harlan, IA 51593 · last Apr 27, first Oct 9
- Walnut, IA 51577 · last Apr 27, first Oct 9
- Carson, IA 51525 · last Apr 23, first Oct 14
- Shelby, IA 51570 · last Apr 27, first Oct 9
- Minden, IA 51553 · last Apr 23, first Oct 14
- Marne, IA 51552 · last Apr 30, first Oct 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Hancock, IA?
- For ZIP code 51536, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Oakland, IA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 5.
- When is the first frost in Hancock, IA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 14. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 30, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 51536?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 174 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.