Palmer, IA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 26median date
First fall frostOct 7median date
Growing season164 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Palmer compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Palmer falls between April 11 and May 8, a 27-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 25 and October 20.
- The median last frost is 2 days earlier than the Iowa median of Apr 28.
- Its 164-day growing season is longer than 43% of the 934 Iowa places with a regular frost season (state median 165 days).
- The last frost is 7 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 157 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Ames, IA, 102 km away, the last frost here is the same as there and the growing season is 1 day shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 11 |
| 50% (median) | April 26 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 8 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 25 |
| 50% (median) | October 7 |
| 90% (late) | October 20 |
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 Palmer, IA
Palmer, IA frost dates — last frost Apr 26, first frost Oct 7, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 1 to Jul 22
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 1 to Jul 22
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 1 to Jul 22
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31Sow outdoors: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 10 to May 17Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 3Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Jul 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 3Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 10Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 24Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 5
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17
Transplant outside: May 10 to May 31
Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 28
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Palmer, IA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Mar 29 – May 3 | Aug 12 – Sep 9 |
| Kale | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Broccoli | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | Jul 1 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Jul 1 – Jul 22 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | Jul 1 – Jul 22 |
| Okra | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | May 17 – May 31 | May 17 – May 31 | — |
| Basil | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 22 – May 3 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | May 10 – May 17 | May 3 – May 17 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | — | May 3 – May 17 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | — | May 3 – May 17 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 5 – May 3 | Jul 15 – Jul 29 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 5 – May 3 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 12 – May 10 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 3 – May 24 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 3 – May 17 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 10 – May 31 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 23 – Oct 28 |
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 Pocahontas, IA weather station, 14 km away (elevation 1,211 ft (369 m)).
Frost dates near Palmer
- Manson Apr 26 · Oct 10
- Gilmore City Apr 27 · Oct 9
- Pocahontas Apr 26 · Oct 7
- Pomeroy Apr 26 · Oct 10
- Rolfe Apr 26 · Oct 7
- Bradgate Apr 27 · Oct 9
- Barnum Apr 28 · Oct 8
- Clare Apr 28 · Oct 8
- Knierim Apr 26 · Oct 10
- Fonda Apr 26 · Oct 7
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Palmer, IA?
The median last spring frost in Palmer, IA is April 26. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 8, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Palmer, IA?
The median first fall frost is October 7, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 25.
How long is the growing season in Palmer, IA?
About 164 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Palmer, IA?
Palmer, IA is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.