Albia, IA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 24median date
First fall frostOct 16median date
Growing season175 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Albia compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Albia falls between April 8 and May 9, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 29 and October 28.
- The median last frost is 4 days earlier than the Iowa median of Apr 28.
- Its 175-day growing season is longer than 82% of the 934 Iowa places with a regular frost season (state median 165 days).
- The last frost is 7 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 135 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Des Moines, IA, 96 km away, the last frost here is 1 day later than there and the growing season is the same length.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 8 |
| 50% (median) | April 24 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 9 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 29 |
| 50% (median) | October 16 |
| 90% (late) | October 28 |
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 Albia, IA
Albia, IA frost dates — last frost Apr 24, first frost Oct 16, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to May 1Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 8 to May 15Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15
Transplant outside: May 8 to May 29
Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Nov 6
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Albia, IA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Mar 27 – May 1 | Aug 21 – Sep 18 |
| Kale | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Broccoli | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Okra | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 15 – May 29 | May 15 – May 29 | — |
| Basil | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 3 | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 3 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 20 – May 1 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 15 | May 1 – May 15 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | — | May 1 – May 15 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | — | May 1 – May 15 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 3 – May 1 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 3 – May 1 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 1 – May 22 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 1 – May 15 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 8 – May 29 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 2 – Nov 6 |
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 Albia 3 Nne, IA weather station, 4 km away (elevation 879 ft (268 m)).
Frost dates near Albia
- Lovilia Apr 24 · Oct 16
- Blakesburg Apr 24 · Oct 16
- Moravia Apr 18 · Oct 23
- Melrose Apr 18 · Oct 23
- Eddyville Apr 23 · Oct 14
- Bussey Apr 24 · Oct 16
- Unionville Apr 18 · Oct 23
- Hamilton Apr 20 · Oct 19
- Chillicothe Apr 23 · Oct 14
- Kirkville Apr 23 · Oct 14
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Albia, IA?
The median last spring frost in Albia, IA is April 24. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 9, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Albia, IA?
The median first fall frost is October 16, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 29.
How long is the growing season in Albia, IA?
About 175 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Albia, IA?
Albia, IA is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.