Frost dates for 52323Oxford Junction, IA
The average last spring frost in Oxford Junction is April 27 and the average first fall frost is October 10, giving a typical growing season of about 165 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 27
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 10
- Growing season
- 165 days
Safer after May 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 177 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 20 | Sep 17 · Oct 1 · Oct 13 | 147 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 11 · Apr 27 · May 13 | Sep 25 · Oct 10 · Oct 23 | 165 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 16 · May 4 | Oct 6 · Oct 20 · Nov 1 | 185 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Oxford Junction
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 27 – Jun 2 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jun 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 27 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jul 23 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 20 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 12 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 12 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jun 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 31 – Jun 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Jun 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 31 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – Jun 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 31 – Jul 16 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 30 – Oct 31 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 52323 is matched to the NOAA station Lowden, IA, 14.1 km away, at 738 ft elevation (10 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowden, IA (used) | 738 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 10 |
| Maquoketa, IA | 668 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 14 |
| Tipton, IA | 820 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 15 |
| Anamosa 3 Ssw, IA | 906 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 13 |
Frost dates near Oxford Junction
- Wyoming, IA 52362 · last May 1, first Oct 4
- Lost Nation, IA 52254 · last Apr 25, first Oct 14
- Monmouth, IA 52309 · last Apr 25, first Oct 14
- Clarence, IA 52216 · last Apr 21, first Oct 15
- Lowden, IA 52255 · last Apr 27, first Oct 10
- Onslow, IA 52321 · last Apr 28, first Oct 10
- Baldwin, IA 52207 · last Apr 25, first Oct 14
- Olin, IA 52320 · last May 1, first Oct 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Oxford Junction, IA?
- For ZIP code 52323, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 27, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lowden, IA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 13.
- When is the first frost in Oxford Junction, IA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 10. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 25, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 52323?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 165 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.