Collins, IA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 24median date
First fall frostOct 12median date
Growing season171 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Collins compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Collins falls between April 9 and May 7, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 28 and October 26.
- The median last frost is 4 days earlier than the Iowa median of Apr 28.
- Its 171-day growing season is longer than 72% 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 151 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Ames, IA, 29 km away, the last frost here is 2 days earlier than there and the growing season is 6 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 9 |
| 50% (median) | April 24 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 7 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 28 |
| 50% (median) | October 12 |
| 90% (late) | October 26 |
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 Collins, IA
Collins, IA frost dates — last frost Apr 24, first frost Oct 12, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
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 17 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 27
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 27
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 27
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 20 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 8 to May 15Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
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 20 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15
Transplant outside: May 8 to May 29
Plant for fall: Sep 28 to Nov 2
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Collins, 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 17 – Sep 14 |
| Kale | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Broccoli | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 6 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | Jul 6 – Jul 27 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 6 – Jul 27 |
| 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 20 – Aug 10 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 3 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 20 – May 1 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 15 | May 1 – May 15 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | — | May 1 – May 15 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| 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 20 – Aug 3 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 3 – May 1 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 1 – May 22 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 1 – May 15 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 8 – May 29 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 28 – Nov 2 |
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 Colo, IA weather station, 13 km away (elevation 1,001 ft (305 m)).
Frost dates near Collins
- Maxwell Apr 24 · Oct 12
- Rhodes Apr 24 · Oct 12
- Colo Apr 24 · Oct 12
- Mingo Apr 22 · Oct 17
- Baxter Apr 22 · Oct 17
- Ira Apr 22 · Oct 17
- State Center Apr 24 · Oct 12
- Nevada Apr 24 · Oct 12
- Melbourne Apr 28 · Oct 7
- Cambridge Apr 26 · Oct 12
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Collins, IA?
The median last spring frost in Collins, IA is April 24. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 7, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Collins, IA?
The median first fall frost is October 12, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 28.
How long is the growing season in Collins, IA?
About 171 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Collins, IA?
Collins, IA is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.