Greene, IA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 27median date
First fall frostOct 8median date
Growing season164 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Greene compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Greene falls between April 12 and May 8, a 26-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 24 and October 22.
- The median last frost is 1 day earlier than the Iowa median of Apr 28.
- Its 164-day growing season is longer than 43% of the 934 Iowa places with a regular frost season (state median 165 days).
- The last frost is 6 days earlier than the zone 5a median of May 3. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 5a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 150 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Waterloo, IA, 60 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 12 |
| 50% (median) | April 27 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 8 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 24 |
| 50% (median) | October 8 |
| 90% (late) | October 22 |
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 Greene, IA
Greene, IA frost dates — last frost Apr 27, first frost Oct 8, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 2 to Jul 23
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Jul 2 to Jul 23
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 2 to Jul 23
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 11 to May 18Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 4Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Jul 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 4Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 11Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 25Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18
Transplant outside: May 11 to Jun 1
Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 29
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Greene, IA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 4 – May 18 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Mar 30 – May 4 | Aug 13 – Sep 10 |
| Kale | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Broccoli | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | Jul 2 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | Jul 2 – Jul 23 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | Jul 2 – Jul 23 |
| Okra | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | May 18 – Jun 1 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — |
| Basil | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | May 4 – May 18 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | Jul 16 – Aug 6 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 23 – May 4 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | May 11 – May 18 | May 4 – May 18 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | — | May 4 – May 18 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | — | May 4 – May 18 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 6 – May 4 | Jul 16 – Jul 30 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 6 – May 4 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 13 – May 11 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 4 – May 25 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 4 – May 18 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 11 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 24 – Oct 29 |
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 Allison, IA weather station, 16 km away (elevation 1,037 ft (316 m)).
Frost dates near Greene
- Marble Rock Apr 30 · Oct 6
- Allison Apr 27 · Oct 8
- Bristow Apr 27 · Oct 8
- Clarksville Apr 27 · Oct 8
- Aredale Apr 29 · Oct 9
- Dougherty Apr 29 · Oct 9
- Rockford Apr 30 · Oct 6
- Charles City Apr 30 · Oct 6
- Dumont Apr 27 · Oct 8
- Nashua Apr 30 · Oct 6
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Greene, IA?
The median last spring frost in Greene, IA is April 27. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 8, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Greene, IA?
The median first fall frost is October 8, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 24.
How long is the growing season in Greene, IA?
About 164 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Greene, IA?
Greene, IA is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.