Frost dates for 52050Greeley, IA
The average last spring frost in Greeley is May 3 and the average first fall frost is October 4, giving a typical growing season of about 154 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 3
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 4
- Growing season
- 154 days
Safer after May 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 182 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 12 · May 25 | Sep 14 · Sep 26 · Oct 7 | 135 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 18 · May 3 · May 16 | Sep 22 · Oct 4 · Oct 17 | 154 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 23 · May 7 | Oct 2 · Oct 15 · Oct 28 | 174 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Greeley
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 2 – Jun 8 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 14 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 18 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 2 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jun 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 25 – Jun 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 25 – Jul 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 24 – Oct 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 52050 is matched to the NOAA station Manchester #2, IA, 17 km away, at 990 ft elevation (106 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester #2, IA (used) | 990 ft | May 3 | Oct 4 |
| Elkader 6 Ssw, IA | 788 ft | May 8 | Oct 1 |
| Guttenberg L&D 10, IA | 618 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 18 |
| Coggon, IA | 903 ft | May 3 | Oct 7 |
Frost dates near Greeley
- Edgewood, IA 52042 · last May 3, first Oct 4
- Colesburg, IA 52035 · last May 3, first Oct 4
- Earlville, IA 52041 · last May 3, first Oct 4
- Delaware, IA 52036 · last May 3, first Oct 4
- Manchester, IA 52057 · last May 3, first Oct 4
- Garber, IA 52048 · last Apr 21, first Oct 18
- Delhi, IA 52223 · last May 3, first Oct 4
- Dundee, IA 52038 · last May 3, first Oct 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Greeley, IA?
- For ZIP code 52050, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Manchester #2, IA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 16.
- When is the first frost in Greeley, IA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 22, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 52050?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 154 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.