Frost dates for 52569Melrose, IA
The average last spring frost in Melrose is April 18 and the average first fall frost is October 23, giving a typical growing season of about 187 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 18
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 23
- Growing season
- 187 days
Safer after May 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 167 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 14 · Apr 29 · May 11 | Sep 29 · Oct 14 · Oct 24 | 166 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 4 · Apr 18 · May 2 | Oct 10 · Oct 23 · Nov 1 | 187 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 22 · Apr 7 · Apr 21 | Oct 20 · Oct 31 · Nov 9 | 206 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Melrose
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 18 – May 24 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jul 3 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 18 – Apr 18 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 4 – May 3 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 13 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 18 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Aug 5 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jul 3 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 3 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 3 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 18 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 3 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Jun 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Sep 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Apr 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 29 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 13 – Nov 13 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 52569 is matched to the NOAA station Rathbun Dam, IA, 18.8 km away, at 965 ft elevation (46 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rathbun Dam, IA (used) | 965 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 23 |
| Albia 3 Nne, IA | 880 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 16 |
| Chariton 1 E, IA | 965 ft | May 5 | Oct 5 |
| Centerville, IA | 905 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 14 |
Frost dates near Melrose
- Russell, IA 50238 · last May 5, first Oct 5
- Moravia, IA 52571 · last Apr 18, first Oct 23
- Lovilia, IA 50150 · last Apr 24, first Oct 16
- Albia, IA 52531 · last Apr 24, first Oct 16
- Mystic, IA 52574 · last Apr 18, first Oct 23
- Plano, IA 52581 · last Apr 18, first Oct 23
- Williamson, IA 50272 · last May 5, first Oct 5
- Chariton, IA 50049 · last May 5, first Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Melrose, IA?
- For ZIP code 52569, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 18, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Rathbun Dam, IA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 2.
- When is the first frost in Melrose, IA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 23. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 10, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 52569?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 187 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.