Frost dates for 52760Moscow, IA
The average last spring frost in Moscow is April 18 and the average first fall frost is October 22, giving a typical growing season of about 184 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 18
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 22
- Growing season
- 184 days
Safer after May 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 168 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 15 · Apr 30 · May 14 | Sep 27 · Oct 12 · Oct 23 | 164 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 4 · Apr 18 · May 2 | Oct 8 · Oct 22 · Nov 2 | 184 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 25 · Apr 7 · Apr 23 | Oct 19 · Oct 31 · Nov 13 | 205 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Moscow
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 2 |
| 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 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 18 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jul 2 |
| 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 22 – Jul 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Jun 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Apr 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 12 – Nov 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 52760 is matched to the NOAA station Muscatine 2N, IA, 10.9 km away, at 680 ft elevation (47 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muscatine 2N, IA (used) | 680 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 22 |
| Illinois City Dam 16, IL | 550 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 24 |
| Muscatine, IA | 549 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 14 |
| Tipton, IA | 820 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 15 |
Frost dates near Moscow
- Wilton, IA 52778 · last Apr 18, first Oct 22
- Atalissa, IA 52720 · last Apr 18, first Oct 22
- West Liberty, IA 52776 · last Apr 29, first Oct 9
- Muscatine, IA 52761 · last Apr 24, first Oct 14
- Durant, IA 52747 · last Apr 18, first Oct 22
- Stockton, IA 52769 · last Apr 18, first Oct 22
- Nichols, IA 52766 · last Apr 18, first Oct 22
- Bennett, IA 52721 · last Apr 21, first Oct 15
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Moscow, IA?
- For ZIP code 52760, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 18, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Muscatine 2N, IA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 2.
- When is the first frost in Moscow, IA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 8, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 52760?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 184 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.