Frost dates for 52032Bernard, IA
The average last spring frost in Bernard is April 28 and the average first fall frost is October 10, giving a typical growing season of about 164 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 28
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 10
- Growing season
- 164 days
Safer after May 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 28 (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 24 · May 6 · May 21 | Sep 17 · Sep 30 · Oct 12 | 146 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 12 · Apr 28 · May 12 | Sep 28 · Oct 10 · Oct 21 | 164 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 15 · May 2 | Oct 7 · Oct 20 · Nov 1 | 186 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Bernard
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 28 – Jun 3 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 28 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jul 23 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 20 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 13 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 13 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 28 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jun 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 31 – Jun 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Jun 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 31 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jun 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 31 – Jul 16 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 30 – Oct 31 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 52032 is matched to the NOAA station Cascade, IA, 12.8 km away, at 814 ft elevation (131 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cascade, IA (used) | 814 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 10 |
| Dubuque Rgnl Ap, IA | 1,056 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 11 |
| Dubuque L&D 11, IA | 620 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 21 |
| Maquoketa, IA | 668 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 14 |
Frost dates near Bernard
- Zwingle, IA 52079 · last Apr 28, first Oct 11
- Peosta, IA 52068 · last Apr 28, first Oct 11
- Cascade, IA 52033 · last Apr 28, first Oct 10
- Epworth, IA 52045 · last Apr 28, first Oct 11
- Farley, IA 52046 · last Apr 28, first Oct 11
- La Motte, IA 52054 · last Apr 28, first Oct 11
- Dubuque, IA 52003 · last Apr 19, first Oct 21
- Worthington, IA 52078 · last Apr 28, first Oct 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Bernard, IA?
- For ZIP code 52032, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Cascade, IA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 12.
- When is the first frost in Bernard, IA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 10. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 28, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 52032?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 164 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.