Olin, IA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 27median date
First fall frostOct 13median date
Growing season169 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Olin compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Olin falls between April 12 and May 10, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 30 and October 25.
- The median last frost is 1 day earlier than the Iowa median of Apr 28.
- Its 169-day growing season is longer than 67% of the 934 Iowa places with a regular frost season (state median 165 days).
- The last frost is 6 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 149 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Cedar Rapids, IA, 41 km away, the last frost here is 1 day earlier than there and the growing season is 2 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 12 |
| 50% (median) | April 27 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 10 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 30 |
| 50% (median) | October 13 |
| 90% (late) | October 25 |
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 Olin, IA
Olin, IA frost dates — last frost Apr 27, first frost Oct 13, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to May 4Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 11 to May 18Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 4Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 25Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18
Transplant outside: May 11 to Jun 1
Plant for fall: Sep 29 to Nov 3
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Olin, IA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 4 – May 18 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Mar 30 – May 4 | Aug 18 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Broccoli | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Okra | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | May 18 – Jun 1 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — |
| Basil | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | May 4 – May 18 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 23 – May 4 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | May 11 – May 18 | May 4 – May 18 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | — | May 4 – May 18 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | — | May 4 – May 18 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 6 – May 4 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 6 – May 4 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 13 – May 11 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 4 – May 25 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 4 – May 18 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 11 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 29 – Nov 3 |
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 Anamosa 3 Ssw, IA weather station, 16 km away (elevation 906 ft (276 m)).
Frost dates near Olin
- Morley Apr 27 · Oct 13
- Stanwood Apr 21 · Oct 15
- Clarence Apr 27 · Oct 10
- Wyoming Apr 27 · Oct 10
- Center Junction May 1 · Oct 4
- Martelle Apr 27 · Oct 13
- Mechanicsville Apr 21 · Oct 15
- Oxford Junction Apr 27 · Oct 10
- Onslow Apr 28 · Oct 10
- Anamosa May 1 · Oct 4
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Olin, IA?
The median last spring frost in Olin, IA is April 27. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 10, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Olin, IA?
The median first fall frost is October 13, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 30.
How long is the growing season in Olin, IA?
About 169 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Olin, IA?
Olin, IA is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.