Ankeny, IA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 23median date
First fall frostOct 15median date
Growing season175 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Ankeny compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Ankeny falls between April 8 and May 6, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 30 and October 28.
- The median last frost is 5 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 8 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 150 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Ankeny shares its weather station with Des Moines, IA, 8 km away, so the two have the same frost dates.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 8 |
| 50% (median) | April 23 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 6 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 30 |
| 50% (median) | October 15 |
| 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 Ankeny, IA
Ankeny, IA frost dates — last frost Apr 23, first frost Oct 15, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 7 to May 14Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 21Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14
Transplant outside: May 7 to May 28
Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Nov 5
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Ankeny, IA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Mar 26 – Apr 30 | Aug 20 – Sep 17 |
| Kale | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Broccoli | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Okra | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | May 14 – May 28 | May 14 – May 28 | — |
| Basil | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 30 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 14 | Apr 30 – May 14 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 30 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 30 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 23 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 9 – May 7 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 30 – May 21 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 7 – May 28 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 1 – Nov 5 |
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 Ankeny, IA weather station, 5 km away (elevation 974 ft (297 m)).
ZIP codes in Ankeny: 50021 50023
Frost dates near Ankeny
- Berwick Apr 23 · Oct 15
- Des Moines Apr 23 · Oct 15
- Polk City Apr 19 · Oct 18
- Elkhart Apr 23 · Oct 15
- Johnston Apr 19 · Oct 18
- Alleman Apr 23 · Oct 15
- Bondurant Apr 23 · Oct 15
- Altoona Apr 23 · Oct 15
- Urbandale Apr 19 · Oct 18
- Grimes Apr 19 · Oct 18
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Ankeny, IA?
The median last spring frost in Ankeny, IA is April 23. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 6, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Ankeny, IA?
The median first fall frost is October 15, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 30.
How long is the growing season in Ankeny, IA?
About 175 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Ankeny, IA?
Ankeny, IA is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.