Frost dates for 52172Waukon, IA
The average last spring frost in Waukon is May 2 and the average first fall frost is October 11, giving a typical growing season of about 161 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 2
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 11
- Growing season
- 161 days
Safer after May 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 187 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 26 | Sep 19 · Oct 1 · Oct 14 | 141 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 17 · May 2 · May 16 | Sep 28 · Oct 11 · Oct 24 | 161 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 6 · Apr 21 · May 6 | Oct 7 · Oct 22 · Nov 3 | 182 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Waukon
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 1 – Jun 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 21 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 21 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jun 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Sep 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – Jun 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 1 – Nov 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 52172 is matched to the NOAA station Waukon, IA, 1.3 km away, at 1,275 ft elevation (5 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waukon, IA (used) | 1,275 ft | May 2 | Oct 11 |
| Postville, IA | 1,165 ft | May 1 | Oct 3 |
| Decorah, IA | 860 ft | May 3 | Oct 7 |
| Lynxville Dam 9, WI | 633 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 17 |
Frost dates near Waukon
- Waterville, IA 52170 · last Apr 24, first Oct 17
- Dorchester, IA 52140 · last Apr 22, first Oct 17
- Castalia, IA 52133 · last May 1, first Oct 3
- Lansing, IA 52151 · last Apr 24, first Oct 17
- Harpers Ferry, IA 52146 · last Apr 24, first Oct 17
- Luana, IA 52156 · last May 1, first Oct 3
- Decorah, IA 52101 · last May 3, first Oct 7
- Monona, IA 52159 · last May 1, first Oct 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Waukon, IA?
- For ZIP code 52172, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Waukon, IA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 16.
- When is the first frost in Waukon, IA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 11. 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 52172?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 161 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.