Adel, IA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 25median date
First fall frostOct 10median date
Growing season168 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Adel compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Adel falls between April 12 and May 8, a 26-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 25 and October 24.
- The median last frost is 3 days earlier than the Iowa median of Apr 28.
- Its 168-day growing season is longer than 64% of the 934 Iowa places with a regular frost season (state median 165 days).
- The last frost is 6 days earlier than the zone 5b median of May 1. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 5b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 151 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with West Des Moines, IA, 23 km away, the last frost here is 7 days later than there and the growing season is 17 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 12 |
| 50% (median) | April 25 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 8 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 25 |
| 50% (median) | October 10 |
| 90% (late) | October 24 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Adel, IA
Adel, IA frost dates — last frost Apr 25, first frost Oct 10, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 16Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16
Transplant outside: May 9 to May 30
Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 31
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Adel, IA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Mar 28 – May 2 | Aug 15 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Broccoli | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| Okra | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | May 16 – May 30 | May 16 – May 30 | — |
| Basil | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 21 – May 2 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 16 | May 2 – May 16 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | — | May 2 – May 16 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | — | May 2 – May 16 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 4 – May 2 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 4 – May 2 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 2 – May 23 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 2 – May 16 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 9 – May 30 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 26 – Oct 31 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Perry, IA weather station, 25 km away (elevation 951 ft (290 m)).
Frost dates near Adel
- Dallas Center Apr 25 · Oct 10
- De Soto Apr 30 · Oct 3
- Redfield May 2 · Oct 3
- Minburn Apr 25 · Oct 10
- Waukee Apr 18 · Oct 20
- Booneville Apr 18 · Oct 20
- Linden May 2 · Oct 3
- Earlham Apr 30 · Oct 3
- Dexter Apr 30 · Oct 3
- Van Meter Apr 30 · Oct 3
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Adel, IA?
The median last spring frost in Adel, IA is April 25. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 8, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Adel, IA?
The median first fall frost is October 10, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 25.
How long is the growing season in Adel, IA?
About 168 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Adel, IA?
Adel, IA is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.