Honey Creek, IA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 16median date
First fall frostOct 18median date
Growing season185 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Honey Creek compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Honey Creek falls between April 2 and May 6, a 34-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 2 and October 29.
- The median last frost is 12 days earlier than the Iowa median of Apr 28.
- Its 185-day growing season is longer than 93% of the 934 Iowa places with a regular frost season (state median 165 days).
- The last frost is 15 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 131 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Council Bluffs, IA, 24 km away, the last frost here is 2 days earlier than there and the growing season is 1 day shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 2 |
| 50% (median) | April 16 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 6 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 2 |
| 50% (median) | October 18 |
| 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 Honey Creek, IA
Honey Creek, IA frost dates — last frost Apr 16, first frost Oct 18, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 7Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Mar 26Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Mar 26Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 7
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 7
Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 21
Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Nov 8
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Honey Creek, IA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Mar 19 – Apr 23 | Aug 23 – Sep 20 |
| Kale | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Broccoli | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Okra | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 21 | May 7 – May 21 | — |
| Basil | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 5 – Mar 26 | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 5 – Mar 26 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 23 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 19 – Mar 26 | Apr 30 – May 7 | Apr 23 – May 7 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 19 – Mar 26 | — | Apr 23 – May 7 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 19 – Mar 26 | — | Apr 23 – May 7 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 19 – Mar 26 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 23 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 23 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 16 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 30 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 23 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 23 – May 14 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 23 – May 7 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 30 – May 21 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 4 – Nov 8 |
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 Omaha #1, NE weather station, 17 km away (elevation 1,280 ft (390 m)).
Frost dates near Honey Creek
- Missouri Valley Apr 29 · Oct 8
- Crescent Apr 18 · Oct 21
- Neola Apr 29 · Oct 8
- Carter Lake Apr 18 · Oct 21
- Modale Apr 22 · Oct 17
- Logan Apr 29 · Oct 8
- Council Bluffs Apr 18 · Oct 21
- Underwood Apr 23 · Oct 14
- Mc Clelland Apr 18 · Oct 21
- Magnolia Apr 29 · Oct 8
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Honey Creek, IA?
The median last spring frost in Honey Creek, IA is April 16. 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 Honey Creek, IA?
The median first fall frost is October 18, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 2.
How long is the growing season in Honey Creek, IA?
About 185 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Honey Creek, IA?
Honey Creek, IA is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.