Frost dates for 52214Central City, IA
The average last spring frost in Central City is May 3 and the average first fall frost is October 7, giving a typical growing season of about 156 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 3
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 7
- Growing season
- 156 days
Safer after May 17 (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 26 | Sep 13 · Sep 27 · Oct 10 | 137 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 18 · May 3 · May 17 | Sep 22 · Oct 7 · Oct 20 | 156 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 6 · Apr 22 · May 6 | Oct 1 · Oct 18 · Oct 30 | 176 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Central City
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 17 |
| 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 27 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 17 |
| 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 7 – Jun 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 28 – Jun 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 28 – Jul 13 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 27 – Oct 28 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 52214 is matched to the NOAA station Coggon, IA, 9.4 km away, at 903 ft elevation (7 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coggon, IA (used) | 903 ft | May 3 | Oct 7 |
| Cedar Rapids #1, IA | 813 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 12 |
| Anamosa 1 Wnw, IA | 805 ft | May 1 | Oct 4 |
| Anamosa 3 Ssw, IA | 906 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 13 |
Frost dates near Central City
- Prairieburg, IA 52219 · last May 3, first Oct 7
- Coggon, IA 52218 · last May 3, first Oct 7
- Alburnett, IA 52202 · last May 3, first Oct 7
- Springville, IA 52336 · last Apr 28, first Oct 12
- Cedar Rapids, IA 52407 · last Apr 28, first Oct 12
- Ryan, IA 52330 · last May 3, first Oct 7
- Troy Mills, IA 52344 · last May 3, first Oct 7
- Marion, IA 52302 · last Apr 28, first Oct 12
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Central City, IA?
- For ZIP code 52214, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Coggon, IA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 17.
- When is the first frost in Central City, IA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 7. 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 52214?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 156 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.