Sheldon, IA frost dates
Last spring frostMay 5median date
First fall frostSep 28median date
Growing season146 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Sheldon compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Sheldon falls between April 24 and May 18, a 24-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 14 and October 12.
- The median last frost is 7 days later than the Iowa median of Apr 28.
- Its 146-day growing season is among the shortest of the 934 Iowa places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is typical for zone 5a, where the median is May 3.
- The weather station records an average of 171 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Sioux Falls, SD, 86 km away, the last frost here is 9 days later than there and the growing season is 24 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 24 |
| 50% (median) | May 5 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 18 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 14 |
| 50% (median) | September 28 |
| 90% (late) | October 12 |
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 Sheldon, IA
Sheldon, IA frost dates — last frost May 5, first frost Sep 28, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Jun 22 to Jul 13
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jun 22 to Jul 13
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Jun 22 to Jul 13
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9Sow outdoors: May 26 to Jun 9
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 14Transplant outside: May 19 to May 26Sow outdoors: May 12 to May 26Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Jul 27
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: May 12 to May 26Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 14Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 12Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 12Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 19Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: May 12 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Jul 27
Sow outdoors: May 12 to May 26
Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 9
Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 19
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Sheldon, IA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Apr 7 – May 12 | Aug 3 – Aug 31 |
| Kale | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Broccoli | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | Jun 22 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | Jun 22 – Jul 13 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | Jun 22 – Jul 13 |
| Okra | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | May 26 – Jun 9 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — |
| Basil | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 14 | Jul 6 – Jul 27 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 14 | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 31 – May 12 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | May 19 – May 26 | May 12 – May 26 | Jul 13 – Jul 27 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | — | May 12 – May 26 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | — | May 12 – May 26 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 14 – May 12 | Jul 6 – Jul 20 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 14 – May 12 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 21 – May 12 | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 12 – Jun 2 | Jul 13 – Jul 27 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 12 – May 26 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 19 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 14 – Oct 19 |
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 Sheldon, IA weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 1,421 ft (433 m)).
Frost dates near Sheldon
- Matlock May 5 · Sep 28
- Archer May 1 · Oct 7
- Boyden May 5 · Sep 28
- Hospers May 5 · Sep 28
- Sanborn May 1 · Oct 7
- Ashton May 5 · Oct 3
- Primghar Apr 29 · Oct 10
- George May 1 · Oct 4
- Melvin May 1 · Oct 7
- Granville Apr 30 · Oct 3
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Sheldon, IA?
The median last spring frost in Sheldon, IA is May 5. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 18, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Sheldon, IA?
The median first fall frost is September 28, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 14.
How long is the growing season in Sheldon, IA?
About 146 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Sheldon, IA?
Sheldon, IA is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.