Mediapolis, IA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 8median date
First fall frostOct 29median date
Growing season204 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Mediapolis compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Mediapolis falls between March 26 and April 23, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 17 and November 10.
- The median last frost is 20 days earlier than the Iowa median of Apr 28.
- Its 204-day growing season is among the longest of the 934 Iowa places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is 23 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 122 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Davenport, IA, 77 km away, the last frost here is 15 days earlier than there and the growing season is 29 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 26 |
| 50% (median) | April 8 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 23 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 17 |
| 50% (median) | October 29 |
| 90% (late) | November 10 |
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 Mediapolis, IA
Mediapolis, IA frost dates — last frost Apr 8, first frost Oct 29, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Oct 1
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 8
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 22 to Apr 29Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 18Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 18Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 13
Plant for fall: Oct 15 to Nov 19
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Mediapolis, IA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Mar 11 – Apr 15 | Sep 3 – Oct 1 |
| Kale | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Broccoli | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Okra | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 13 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — |
| Basil | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 25 – Mar 18 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 25 – Mar 18 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 4 – Apr 15 | Sep 17 – Oct 8 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 11 – Mar 18 | Apr 22 – Apr 29 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 11 – Mar 18 | — | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 11 – Mar 18 | — | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 11 – Mar 18 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 15 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 15 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 22 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 22 – May 13 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 15 – Nov 19 |
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 Gladstone Dam, IL weather station, 17 km away (elevation 538 ft (164 m)).
Frost dates near Mediapolis
- Sperry Apr 8 · Oct 29
- Oakville Apr 14 · Oct 24
- Yarmouth Apr 30 · Oct 10
- Morning Sun Apr 14 · Oct 24
- West Burlington Apr 15 · Oct 20
- Burlington Apr 15 · Oct 20
- Middletown Apr 15 · Oct 20
- Wapello Apr 14 · Oct 24
- Danville Apr 15 · Oct 20
- Mount Union Apr 30 · Oct 10
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Mediapolis, IA?
The median last spring frost in Mediapolis, IA is April 8. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 23, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Mediapolis, IA?
The median first fall frost is October 29, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 17.
How long is the growing season in Mediapolis, IA?
About 204 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Mediapolis, IA?
Mediapolis, IA is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.