Frost dates for 52804Davenport, IA
The average last spring frost in Davenport is April 23 and the average first fall frost is October 15, giving a typical growing season of about 174 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 23
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 15
- Growing season
- 174 days
Safer after May 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 174 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 17 · May 2 · May 17 | Sep 19 · Oct 4 · Oct 17 | 154 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 23 · May 8 | Oct 1 · Oct 15 · Oct 28 | 174 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 29 · Apr 12 · Apr 30 | Oct 11 · Oct 24 · Nov 5 | 193 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Davenport
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 25 |
| 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 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jul 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 25 |
| 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 15 – Jun 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Jun 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Sep 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Apr 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 5 – Nov 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 52804 is matched to the NOAA station Davenport, IA, 8.5 km away, at 754 ft elevation (35 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Davenport, IA (used) | 754 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 15 |
| Rock Island L&D 15, IL | 568 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 22 |
| Davenport Wfo, IA | 750 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 17 |
| Moline Quad City Intl Ap, IL | 592 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 18 |
Frost dates near Davenport
- Rock Island, IL 61204 · last Apr 19, first Oct 22
- Davenport, IA 52802 · last Apr 19, first Oct 22
- Moline, IL 61266 · last Apr 19, first Oct 22
- Bettendorf, IA 52722 · last Apr 19, first Oct 22
- Blue Grass, IA 52726 · last Apr 23, first Oct 15
- Milan, IL 61264 · last Apr 24, first Oct 18
- Buffalo, IA 52728 · last Apr 19, first Oct 22
- Andalusia, IL 61232 · last Apr 19, first Oct 22
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Davenport, IA?
- For ZIP code 52804, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Davenport, IA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 8.
- When is the first frost in Davenport, IA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 15. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 52804?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 174 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.