Orient, IA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 25median date
First fall frostOct 12median date
Growing season170 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Orient compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Orient falls between April 12 and May 7, a 25-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 26 and October 26.
- The median last frost is 3 days earlier than the Iowa median of Apr 28.
- Its 170-day growing season is longer than 70% of the 934 Iowa places with a regular frost season (state median 165 days).
- The last frost is 6 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 138 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with West Des Moines, IA, 64 km away, the last frost here is 7 days later than there and the growing season is 15 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 12 |
| 50% (median) | April 25 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 7 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 26 |
| 50% (median) | October 12 |
| 90% (late) | October 26 |
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 Orient, IA
Orient, IA frost dates — last frost Apr 25, first frost Oct 12, zone 5b. 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 17 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 27
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 27
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 27
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 20 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 16Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
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 20 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16
Transplant outside: May 9 to May 30
Plant for fall: Sep 28 to Nov 2
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Orient, 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 17 – Sep 14 |
| Kale | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Broccoli | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jul 6 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | Jul 6 – Jul 27 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jul 6 – Jul 27 |
| 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 20 – Aug 10 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 21 – May 2 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 16 | May 2 – May 16 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | — | May 2 – May 16 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| 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 20 – Aug 3 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 4 – May 2 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 2 – May 23 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 2 – May 16 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 9 – May 30 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 28 – Nov 2 |
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 Greenfield, IA weather station, 10 km away (elevation 1,316 ft (401 m)).
Frost dates near Orient
- Greenfield Apr 25 · Oct 12
- Macksburg Apr 30 · Oct 3
- Fontanelle Apr 25 · Oct 12
- Creston Apr 28 · Oct 11
- Cromwell Apr 28 · Oct 11
- Afton Apr 28 · Oct 11
- Bridgewater Apr 25 · Oct 12
- Prescott Apr 27 · Oct 12
- Lorimor Apr 30 · Oct 3
- Stuart May 2 · Oct 3
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Orient, IA?
The median last spring frost in Orient, IA is April 25. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 7, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Orient, IA?
The median first fall frost is October 12, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 26.
How long is the growing season in Orient, IA?
About 170 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Orient, IA?
Orient, IA is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.