Kensett, IA frost dates
Last spring frostMay 4median date
First fall frostOct 4median date
Growing season153 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Kensett compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Kensett falls between April 21 and May 16, a 25-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 20 and October 17.
- The median last frost is 6 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 165 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Rochester, MN, 96 km away, the last frost here is 4 days later than there and the growing season is 6 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 21 |
| 50% (median) | May 4 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 16 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 20 |
| 50% (median) | October 4 |
| 90% (late) | October 17 |
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 Kensett, IA
Kensett, IA frost dates — last frost May 4, first frost Oct 4, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Jun 28 to Jul 19
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jun 28 to Jul 19
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Jun 28 to Jul 19
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 8Sow outdoors: May 25 to Jun 8
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Transplant outside: May 18 to May 25Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 11Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Jul 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 11Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 18Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: May 11 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25
Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 8
Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 25
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Kensett, IA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Apr 6 – May 11 | Aug 9 – Sep 6 |
| Kale | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Broccoli | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | Jun 28 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | Jun 28 – Jul 19 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | Jun 28 – Jul 19 |
| Okra | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | May 25 – Jun 8 | May 25 – Jun 8 | — |
| Basil | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 30 – May 11 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | May 18 – May 25 | May 11 – May 25 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | — | May 11 – May 25 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | — | May 11 – May 25 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 13 – May 11 | Jul 12 – Jul 26 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 13 – May 11 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 20 – May 18 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 20 – May 11 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 11 – Jun 1 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 11 – May 25 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 18 – Jun 8 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 20 – Oct 25 |
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 Northwood, IA weather station, 9 km away (elevation 1,191 ft (363 m)).
Frost dates near Kensett
- Manly Apr 29 · Oct 7
- Northwood May 4 · Oct 4
- Grafton May 4 · Oct 4
- Plymouth Apr 29 · Oct 7
- Hanlontown May 3 · Oct 1
- Carpenter May 4 · Oct 4
- Joice Apr 30 · Oct 7
- Rock Falls Apr 29 · Oct 7
- Fertile May 3 · Oct 1
- Mason City Apr 29 · Oct 7
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Kensett, IA?
The median last spring frost in Kensett, IA is May 4. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 16, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Kensett, IA?
The median first fall frost is October 4, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 20.
How long is the growing season in Kensett, IA?
About 153 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Kensett, IA?
Kensett, IA is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.