Kellerton, IA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 16median date
First fall frostOct 20median date
Growing season187 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Kellerton compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Kellerton falls between April 2 and May 2, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 6 and November 1.
- The median last frost is 12 days earlier than the Iowa median of Apr 28.
- Its 187-day growing season is longer than 95% 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 133 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with West Des Moines, IA, 102 km away, the last frost here is 2 days earlier than there and the growing season is 2 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 2 |
| 50% (median) | April 16 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 2 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 6 |
| 50% (median) | October 20 |
| 90% (late) | November 1 |
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 Kellerton, IA
Kellerton, IA frost dates — last frost Apr 16, first frost Oct 20, 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 25 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
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 28 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 7Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Mar 26Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
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 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 7
Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 21
Plant for fall: Oct 6 to Nov 10
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Kellerton, 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 25 – Sep 22 |
| Kale | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Broccoli | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| 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 28 – Aug 18 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 5 – Mar 26 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 23 | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 19 – Mar 26 | Apr 30 – May 7 | Apr 23 – May 7 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 19 – Mar 26 | — | Apr 23 – May 7 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| 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 28 – Aug 11 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 23 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 16 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 30 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 23 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 23 – May 14 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 23 – May 7 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 30 – May 21 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 6 – Nov 10 |
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 Lamoni, IA weather station, 7 km away (elevation 1,168 ft (356 m)).
Frost dates near Kellerton
- Lamoni Apr 17 · Oct 21
- Mount Ayr Apr 25 · Oct 12
- Grand River Apr 23 · Oct 17
- Ellston Apr 23 · Oct 17
- Decatur Apr 16 · Oct 21
- Tingley Apr 23 · Oct 17
- Davis City Apr 16 · Oct 21
- Benton Apr 25 · Oct 12
- Redding Apr 24 · Oct 14
- Leon Apr 30 · Oct 8
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Kellerton, IA?
The median last spring frost in Kellerton, IA is April 16. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 2, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Kellerton, IA?
The median first fall frost is October 20, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 6.
How long is the growing season in Kellerton, IA?
About 187 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Kellerton, IA?
Kellerton, IA is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.