Last frost date in Urbandale, Iowa
April 19
Average last frost in spring. In an early year (1 in 10) it's over by April 5; in a late year (1 in 10) it comes after May 3.
October 18
Average first frost in fall. 1 year in 10 it comes by October 1.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Des Moines Wsfo-johnston (USC00132209), 7.5 miles from Urbandale, elevation 959 ft. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. These are long-term averages, not a forecast.
This station is also the nearest one for Grimes and Johnston, so their frost dates are the same as Urbandale's.
| Early year | Average | Late year | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last frost in spring | Apr 5 | Apr 19 | May 3 |
| First frost in fall | Oct 1 | Oct 18 | Oct 30 |
Frost-free days in an average year: 179
| Chance in a year | Average last in spring | Average first in fall | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Every year | Apr 30 | Oct 7 |
| Frost (32°F) | Every year | Apr 19 | Oct 18 |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Every year | Apr 9 | Oct 27 |
Nights at 32°F or colder in an average year: 135
What to plant now in Urbandale
- Spring planting calendar for an average last frost around April 20 Urbandale: April 19
- Fall planting calendar for an average first frost around October 20 Urbandale: October 18
Planting dates: USDA Home and Garden Bulletin No. 9 (1967), “Suburban and Farm Vegetable Gardens,” tables 4 and 5. How we match the table.
Nearby in Iowa
- Des Moines 10 mi · last frost Apr 18
- Ankeny 11 mi · last frost Apr 23
- Indianola 22 mi · last frost Apr 24
- Ames 28 mi · last frost Apr 26
- Boone 29 mi · last frost Apr 28
Updated