Battle Creek, IA frost dates
Last spring frostMay 1median date
First fall frostOct 1median date
Growing season153 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Battle Creek compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Battle Creek falls between April 18 and May 15, a 27-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 18 and October 14.
- The median last frost is 3 days later than the Iowa median of Apr 28.
- Its 153-day growing season is longer than 6% of the 934 Iowa places with a regular frost season (state median 165 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 5a, where the median is May 3.
- The weather station records an average of 170 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Sioux City, IA, 66 km away, the last frost here is 2 days later than there and the growing season is 8 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 18 |
| 50% (median) | May 1 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 15 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 18 |
| 50% (median) | October 1 |
| 90% (late) | October 14 |
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 Battle Creek, IA
Battle Creek, IA frost dates — last frost May 1, first frost Oct 1, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jun 25 to Jul 16
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jun 25 to Jul 16
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jun 25 to Jul 16
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 22Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 15Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Jul 30
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Transplant outside: May 15 to Jun 5
Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 22
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Battle Creek, IA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Apr 3 – May 8 | Aug 6 – Sep 3 |
| Kale | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Broccoli | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jun 25 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jun 25 – Jul 16 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jun 25 – Jul 16 |
| Okra | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 22 – Jun 5 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — |
| Basil | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 27 – May 8 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 22 | May 8 – May 22 | Jul 16 – Jul 30 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | — | May 8 – May 22 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | — | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Jul 9 – Jul 23 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 8 – May 29 | Jul 16 – Jul 30 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 15 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 17 – Oct 22 |
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 Battle Creek 3ne, IA weather station, 5 km away (elevation 1,381 ft (421 m)).
Frost dates near Battle Creek
- Ida Grove Apr 27 · Oct 12
- Danbury May 3 · Oct 1
- Cushing Apr 30 · Oct 9
- Holstein Apr 30 · Oct 9
- Arthur Apr 27 · Oct 12
- Correctionville Apr 30 · Oct 9
- Oto May 3 · Oct 1
- Ricketts May 3 · Oct 1
- Schleswig Apr 27 · Oct 11
- Galva Apr 30 · Oct 9
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Battle Creek, IA?
The median last spring frost in Battle Creek, IA is May 1. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 15, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Battle Creek, IA?
The median first fall frost is October 1, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 18.
How long is the growing season in Battle Creek, IA?
About 153 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Battle Creek, IA?
Battle Creek, IA is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.