Miles, IA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 25median date
First fall frostOct 16median date
Growing season174 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Miles compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Miles falls between April 10 and May 11, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 1 and October 29.
- The median last frost is 3 days earlier than the Iowa median of Apr 28.
- Its 174-day growing season is longer than 78% of the 934 Iowa places with a regular frost season (state median 165 days).
- The last frost is 8 days earlier than the zone 5a median of May 3. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 5a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 146 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Dubuque, IA, 53 km away, the last frost here is 6 days later than there and the growing season is 11 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 10 |
| 50% (median) | April 25 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 11 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 1 |
| 50% (median) | October 16 |
| 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 Miles, IA
Miles, IA frost dates — last frost Apr 25, first frost Oct 16, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to May 2Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 16Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16
Transplant outside: May 9 to May 30
Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Nov 6
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Miles, IA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Mar 28 – May 2 | Aug 21 – Sep 18 |
| Kale | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Broccoli | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Okra | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | May 16 – May 30 | May 16 – May 30 | — |
| Basil | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 21 – May 2 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 16 | May 2 – May 16 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | — | May 2 – May 16 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | — | May 2 – May 16 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 4 – May 2 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 4 – May 2 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 2 – May 23 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 2 – May 16 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 9 – May 30 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 2 – Nov 6 |
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 Bellevue L&D, IA weather station, 19 km away (elevation 604 ft (184 m)).
Frost dates near Miles
- Preston Apr 25 · Oct 14
- Spragueville Apr 25 · Oct 14
- Sabula May 2 · Oct 7
- Goose Lake Apr 13 · Oct 26
- Springbrook Apr 25 · Oct 16
- Teeds Grove Apr 13 · Oct 26
- Andover Apr 13 · Oct 26
- Bryant Apr 13 · Oct 26
- Charlotte Apr 25 · Oct 14
- Bellevue Apr 25 · Oct 16
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Miles, IA?
The median last spring frost in Miles, IA is April 25. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 11, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Miles, IA?
The median first fall frost is October 16, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 1.
How long is the growing season in Miles, IA?
About 174 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Miles, IA?
Miles, IA is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.