Menlo, IA frost dates
Last spring frostMay 2median date
First fall frostOct 3median date
Growing season154 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Menlo compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Menlo falls between April 18 and May 17, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 20 and October 18.
- The median last frost is 4 days later than the Iowa median of Apr 28.
- Its 154-day growing season is longer than 10% of the 934 Iowa places with a regular frost season (state median 165 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 5b, where the median is May 1.
- The weather station records an average of 156 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with West Des Moines, IA, 53 km away, the last frost here is 14 days later than there and the growing season is 31 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 18 |
| 50% (median) | May 2 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 17 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 20 |
| 50% (median) | October 3 |
| 90% (late) | October 18 |
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 Menlo, IA
Menlo, IA frost dates — last frost May 2, first frost Oct 3, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jun 27 to Jul 18
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jun 27 to Jul 18
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jun 27 to Jul 18
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 23Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Jul 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 16Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 30Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Transplant outside: May 16 to Jun 6
Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 24
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Menlo, IA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Apr 4 – May 9 | Aug 8 – Sep 5 |
| Kale | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Broccoli | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jun 27 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jun 27 – Jul 18 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jun 27 – Jul 18 |
| Okra | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 23 – Jun 6 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — |
| Basil | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 28 – May 9 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 23 | May 9 – May 23 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | May 9 – May 23 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Jul 11 – Jul 25 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 18 – May 16 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 9 – May 30 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 16 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 19 – Oct 24 |
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 Guthrie Ctr, IA weather station, 17 km away (elevation 1,066 ft (325 m)).
Frost dates near Menlo
- Stuart May 2 · Oct 3
- Casey May 2 · Oct 3
- Dexter Apr 30 · Oct 3
- Guthrie Center May 2 · Oct 3
- Linden May 2 · Oct 3
- Panora May 2 · Oct 3
- Redfield May 2 · Oct 3
- Adair May 2 · Oct 3
- Earlham Apr 30 · Oct 3
- Greenfield Apr 25 · Oct 12
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Menlo, IA?
The median last spring frost in Menlo, IA is May 2. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 17, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Menlo, IA?
The median first fall frost is October 3, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 20.
How long is the growing season in Menlo, IA?
About 154 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Menlo, IA?
Menlo, IA is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.