Frost dates for 51560Oakland, IA
The average last spring frost in Oakland 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 Oakland
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 51560 is matched to the NOAA station Oakland, IA, 1 km away, at 1,260 ft elevation (52 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 |
| Red Oak, IA | 1,040 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 13 |
| Harlan, IA | 1,270 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 9 |
Frost dates near Oakland
- Hancock, IA 51536 · last Apr 23, first Oct 14
- Carson, IA 51525 · last Apr 23, first Oct 14
- Macedonia, IA 51549 · last Apr 23, first Oct 14
- Avoca, IA 51521 · last Apr 27, first Oct 9
- Harlan, IA 51593 · last Apr 27, first Oct 9
- Treynor, IA 51575 · last Apr 23, first Oct 14
- Underwood, IA 51576 · last Apr 23, first Oct 14
- Walnut, IA 51577 · last Apr 27, first Oct 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Oakland, IA?
- For ZIP code 51560, 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 Oakland, 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 51560?
- 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.