Frost dates for 52001 — Dubuque, IA
Last spring frostApr 19median date
First fall frostOct 21median date
Growing season185 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Dubuque compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Dubuque falls between April 4 and May 4, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 7 and November 2.
- The median last frost is 9 days earlier than the Iowa median of Apr 28.
- Its 185-day growing season is longer than 93% of the 934 Iowa places with a regular frost season (state median 165 days).
- The last frost is 14 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 133 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Cedar Rapids, IA, 95 km away, the last frost here is 9 days earlier than there and the growing season is 18 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 4 |
| 50% (median) | April 19 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 4 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 7 |
| 50% (median) | October 21 |
| 90% (late) | November 2 |
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 Dubuque, IA
Frost dates for 52001 — Dubuque, IA — last frost Apr 19, first frost Oct 21, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 3 to May 10Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10
Transplant outside: May 3 to May 24
Plant for fall: Oct 7 to Nov 11
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Dubuque, IA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Mar 22 – Apr 26 | Aug 26 – Sep 23 |
| Kale | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Broccoli | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Okra | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | May 10 – May 24 | May 10 – May 24 | — |
| Basil | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 8 – Mar 29 | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 8 – Mar 29 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 26 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | May 3 – May 10 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 26 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 26 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 19 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 5 – May 3 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 26 – May 17 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 3 – May 24 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 7 – Nov 11 |
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 Dubuque L&D, IA weather station, 4 km away (elevation 620 ft (189 m)).
ZIP codes in Dubuque: 52001 52002 52003 52004 52099
Frost dates near Dubuque
- Peosta Apr 28 · Oct 11
- Durango Apr 19 · Oct 21
- Sherrill Apr 19 · Oct 21
- Epworth Apr 28 · Oct 10
- La Motte Apr 28 · Oct 11
- Holy Cross Apr 21 · Oct 18
- Bernard Apr 28 · Oct 10
- Saint Donatus Apr 25 · Oct 16
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Dubuque, IA?
The median last spring frost in Dubuque, IA is April 19. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 4, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Dubuque, IA?
The median first fall frost is October 21, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 7.
How long is the growing season in Dubuque, IA?
About 185 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Dubuque, IA?
Dubuque, IA is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.