Modale, IA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 22median date
First fall frostOct 17median date
Growing season178 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Modale compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Modale falls between April 9 and May 5, a 26-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 30 and October 30.
- The median last frost is 6 days earlier than the Iowa median of Apr 28.
- Its 178-day growing season is longer than 86% of the 934 Iowa places with a regular frost season (state median 165 days).
- The last frost is 9 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 143 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Omaha, NE, 42 km away, the last frost here is 4 days later than there and the growing season is 8 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 9 |
| 50% (median) | April 22 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 5 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 30 |
| 50% (median) | October 17 |
| 90% (late) | October 30 |
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 Modale, IA
Modale, IA frost dates — last frost Apr 22, first frost Oct 17, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 6 to May 13Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13
Transplant outside: May 6 to May 27
Plant for fall: Oct 3 to Nov 7
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Modale, IA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Mar 25 – Apr 29 | Aug 22 – Sep 19 |
| Kale | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Broccoli | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Okra | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | May 13 – May 27 | May 13 – May 27 | — |
| Basil | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 29 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | May 6 – May 13 | Apr 29 – May 13 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 29 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 29 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 8 – May 6 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 29 – May 20 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 6 – May 27 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 3 – Nov 7 |
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 Blair, NE weather station, 16 km away (elevation 1,089 ft (332 m)).
Frost dates near Modale
- Mondamin May 1 · Oct 3
- Magnolia Apr 29 · Oct 8
- Missouri Valley Apr 29 · Oct 8
- Logan Apr 29 · Oct 8
- Little Sioux May 1 · Oct 3
- Pisgah May 1 · Oct 3
- Honey Creek Apr 16 · Oct 18
- Woodbine Apr 29 · Oct 8
- Neola Apr 29 · Oct 8
- Blencoe May 1 · Oct 3
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Modale, IA?
The median last spring frost in Modale, IA is April 22. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 5, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Modale, IA?
The median first fall frost is October 17, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 30.
How long is the growing season in Modale, IA?
About 178 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Modale, IA?
Modale, IA is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.