Frost dates for 52060Maquoketa, IA
The average last spring frost in Maquoketa is April 25 and the average first fall frost is October 14, giving a typical growing season of about 171 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 25
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 14
- Growing season
- 171 days
Safer after May 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 176 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 5 · May 18 | Sep 20 · Oct 3 · Oct 16 | 151 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 11 · Apr 25 · May 9 | Sep 30 · Oct 14 · Oct 26 | 171 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 14 · May 1 | Oct 10 · Oct 24 · Nov 4 | 191 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Maquoketa
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 25 – May 31 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 24 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 25 – Apr 25 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 11 – May 10 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 4 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 25 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jul 27 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 24 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 10 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 10 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 25 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 10 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jun 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Jun 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Sep 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – Jun 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 20 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 4 – Nov 4 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 52060 is matched to the NOAA station Maquoketa, IA, 1 km away, at 668 ft elevation (14 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maquoketa, IA (used) | 668 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 14 |
| Bellevue L&D 12, IA | 603 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 16 |
| Lowden, IA | 738 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 10 |
| Dubuque Rgnl Ap, IA | 1,056 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 11 |
Frost dates near Maquoketa
- Delmar, IA 52037 · last Apr 25, first Oct 14
- Andrew, IA 52030 · last Apr 25, first Oct 14
- Baldwin, IA 52207 · last Apr 25, first Oct 14
- Monmouth, IA 52309 · last Apr 25, first Oct 14
- Spragueville, IA 52074 · last Apr 25, first Oct 14
- Lost Nation, IA 52254 · last Apr 25, first Oct 14
- Springbrook, IA 52075 · last Apr 25, first Oct 16
- Charlotte, IA 52731 · last Apr 25, first Oct 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Maquoketa, IA?
- For ZIP code 52060, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 25, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Maquoketa, IA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 9.
- When is the first frost in Maquoketa, 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 52060?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 171 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.