Frost dates for 52656West Point, IA
The average last spring frost in West Point is April 17 and the average first fall frost is October 22, giving a typical growing season of about 187 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 17
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 22
- Growing season
- 187 days
Safer after May 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 169 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 28 · May 11 | Sep 26 · Oct 12 · Oct 25 | 166 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 4 · Apr 17 · May 1 | Oct 10 · Oct 22 · Nov 4 | 187 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 22 · Apr 7 · Apr 21 | Oct 20 · Nov 1 · Nov 15 | 208 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for West Point
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 17 – May 23 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 3 – Jul 2 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 17 – Apr 17 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – May 2 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jun 17 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jul 2 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 2 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 17 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 2 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Jun 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Apr 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – Jun 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 12 – Nov 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 52656 is matched to the NOAA station Donnellson, IA, 13 km away, at 705 ft elevation (7 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donnellson, IA (used) | 705 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 22 |
| Ft Madison, IA | 530 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 25 |
| Burlington Muni Ap, IA | 692 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 20 |
| Mt Pleasant 1 Ssw, IA | 730 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 10 |
Frost dates near West Point
- Saint Paul, IA 52657 · last Apr 17, first Oct 22
- Denmark, IA 52624 · last Apr 15, first Oct 20
- Pilot Grove, IA 52648 · last Apr 17, first Oct 22
- Fort Madison, IA 52627 · last Apr 12, first Oct 25
- Donnellson, IA 52625 · last Apr 17, first Oct 22
- Houghton, IA 52631 · last Apr 17, first Oct 22
- Niota, IL 62358 · last Apr 12, first Oct 25
- Wever, IA 52658 · last Apr 12, first Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in West Point, IA?
- For ZIP code 52656, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 17, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Donnellson, IA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 1.
- When is the first frost in West Point, IA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 22. 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 52656?
- 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.