Frost dates for 52566Kirkville, IA
The average last spring frost in Kirkville is April 23 and the average first fall frost is October 14, giving a typical growing season of about 172 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 23
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 14
- Growing season
- 172 days
Safer after May 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 173 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 18 · May 3 · May 16 | Sep 19 · Oct 3 · Oct 17 | 152 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 23 · May 7 | Sep 29 · Oct 14 · Oct 26 | 172 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 13 · Apr 28 | Oct 10 · Oct 24 · Nov 5 | 192 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Kirkville
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 23 – May 29 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jun 24 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 4 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jul 27 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 24 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 23 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 8 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jun 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Jun 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Sep 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Apr 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 20 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 4 – Nov 4 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 52566 is matched to the NOAA station Ottumwa Industrial Ap, IA, 6 km away, at 842 ft elevation (15 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ottumwa Industrial Ap, IA (used) | 842 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 14 |
| Oskaloosa, IA | 830 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 16 |
| Albia 3 Nne, IA | 880 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 16 |
| Sigourney, IA | 732 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 15 |
Frost dates near Kirkville
- Chillicothe, IA 52548 · last Apr 23, first Oct 14
- Cedar, IA 52543 · last Apr 23, first Oct 14
- Fremont, IA 52561 · last Apr 23, first Oct 14
- Eddyville, IA 52553 · last Apr 23, first Oct 14
- Ottumwa, IA 52501 · last Apr 23, first Oct 14
- Hedrick, IA 52563 · last Apr 23, first Oct 14
- University Park, IA 52595 · last Apr 21, first Oct 16
- Martinsburg, IA 52568 · last Apr 23, first Oct 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Kirkville, IA?
- For ZIP code 52566, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ottumwa Industrial Ap, IA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 7.
- When is the first frost in Kirkville, IA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 14. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 52566?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 172 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.