Frost dates for 50014 — Ames, IA
Last spring frostApr 23median date
First fall frostOct 14median date
Growing season174 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Ames compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Ames falls between April 7 and May 5, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 29 and October 27.
- The median last frost is 5 days earlier than the Iowa median of Apr 28.
- Its 174-day growing season is longer than 78% of the 934 Iowa places with a regular frost season (state median 165 days).
- The last frost is 8 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 141 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Des Moines, IA, 45 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 7 |
| 50% (median) | April 23 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 5 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 29 |
| 50% (median) | October 14 |
| 90% (late) | October 27 |
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 Ames, IA
Frost dates for 50014 — Ames, IA — last frost Apr 23, first frost Oct 14, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 7 to May 14Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 21Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14
Transplant outside: May 7 to May 28
Plant for fall: Sep 30 to Nov 4
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Ames, IA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Mar 26 – Apr 30 | Aug 19 – Sep 16 |
| Kale | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Broccoli | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Okra | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | May 14 – May 28 | May 14 – May 28 | — |
| Basil | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 30 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 14 | Apr 30 – May 14 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 30 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 30 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 23 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 9 – May 7 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 30 – May 21 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 7 – May 28 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 30 – Nov 4 |
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 Ames 8 Wsw, IA weather station, 7 km away (elevation 1,099 ft (335 m)).
ZIP codes in Ames: 50010 50011 50012 50013 50014
Frost dates near Ames
- Gilbert Apr 26 · Oct 8
- Kelley Apr 26 · Oct 8
- Boone Apr 28 · Oct 12
- Luther Apr 23 · Oct 14
- Story City Apr 26 · Oct 8
- Huxley Apr 26 · Oct 12
- Slater Apr 26 · Oct 12
- Roland Apr 26 · Oct 8
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Ames, IA?
The median last spring frost in Ames, IA is April 23. 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 Ames, IA?
The median first fall frost is October 14, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 29.
How long is the growing season in Ames, IA?
About 174 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Ames, IA?
Ames, IA is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.