Barnes City, IA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 21median date
First fall frostOct 16median date
Growing season178 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Barnes City compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Barnes City falls between April 8 and May 4, a 26-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 29 and October 29.
- The median last frost is 7 days earlier than the Iowa median of Apr 28.
- Its 178-day growing season is longer than 86% of the 934 Iowa places with a regular frost season (state median 165 days).
- The last frost is 10 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 144 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Iowa City, IA, 78 km away, the last frost here is the same as there and the growing season is 2 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 8 |
| 50% (median) | April 21 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 4 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 29 |
| 50% (median) | October 16 |
| 90% (late) | October 29 |
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 Barnes City, IA
Barnes City, IA frost dates — last frost Apr 21, first frost Oct 16, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26Sow outdoors: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 5 to May 12Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Mar 31Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Mar 31Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 19Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12
Transplant outside: May 5 to May 26
Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Nov 6
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Barnes City, IA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Mar 24 – Apr 28 | Aug 21 – Sep 18 |
| Kale | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Broccoli | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Okra | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | May 12 – May 26 | May 12 – May 26 | — |
| Basil | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 31 | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 31 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 28 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | May 5 – May 12 | Apr 28 – May 12 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 28 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 28 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 28 – May 19 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 5 – May 26 | — | — |
| 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 Oskaloosa, IA weather station, 24 km away (elevation 830 ft (253 m)).
Frost dates near Barnes City
- Gibson Apr 24 · Oct 15
- Thornburg Apr 24 · Oct 15
- Montezuma May 3 · Oct 6
- Deep River Apr 24 · Oct 15
- What Cheer Apr 24 · Oct 15
- Rose Hill Apr 21 · Oct 16
- New Sharon Apr 21 · Oct 16
- Keswick Apr 24 · Oct 15
- Guernsey Apr 28 · Oct 10
- Searsboro May 3 · Oct 6
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Barnes City, IA?
The median last spring frost in Barnes City, IA is April 21. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 4, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Barnes City, 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 Barnes City, IA?
About 178 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Barnes City, IA?
Barnes City, IA is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.