Last frost date in Burlington, IA
In Burlington, the last spring frost comes around April 15 in an average year. Wait until May 1 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 20, which leaves 187 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 6 happens one year in ten.
- Safe after (10% risk)
- May 1
- Average first frost
- Oct 20
- Frost-free season
- 187 days
- Hard freeze (28°F) ends
- Apr 5
No frost in the next 7 nights
Later than usual: the average first frost here is October 20.
National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC
- ThuOct 2252°
- FriOct 2353°
- SatOct 2453°
- SunOct 2553°
- MonOct 2650°
- TueOct 2746°
- WedOct 2848°
Planting calendar for Burlington
Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Iowa.
TomatoesApr 22–May 6
PumpkinsApr 29–May 13
SunflowersApr 15–May 6
CucumbersApr 29–May 6
CornApr 22–May 6
Sweet potatoesMay 6–May 20
WatermelonApr 29–May 13
Green beansApr 22–May 13
ZucchiniApr 22–May 6
OkraMay 6–May 20
PeppersApr 29–May 13
BasilApr 22–May 6
Butternut squashApr 22–May 6
CantaloupeApr 29–May 13
EggplantApr 29–May 13
PotatoesMar 18–Apr 1
OnionsMar 4–Mar 25
CarrotsMar 25–Apr 29
LettuceApr 1–Apr 22
BroccoliMar 18–Apr 1
BeetsMar 18–Apr 29
PeasMar 4–Mar 18
CabbageMar 18–Apr 1
RadishesMar 11–Apr 22
Brussels sproutsApr 1–Apr 15
SpinachMar 4–Mar 25
CilantroApr 1–Apr 22
KaleMar 18–Apr 1
Collard greensMar 18–Apr 1
TurnipsMar 18–Apr 1
DillApr 15–Apr 29
CeleryApr 22–Apr 29
CauliflowerApr 1–Apr 15
LeeksApr 1–Apr 15
Swiss chardApr 1–Apr 29
ParsleyApr 1–Apr 22
Tulip bulbsOct 6–Nov 10
GarlicSep 29–Nov 3
Daffodil bulbsSep 22–Nov 3
StrawberriesMar 18–Apr 1
AsparagusMar 18–Apr 1Frost probabilities
| Threshold | Spring, 90% chance later | Spring, 50% | Spring, 10% | Fall, 10% chance earlier | Fall, 50% | Fall, 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost, 32°F | Apr 2 | Apr 15 | May 1 | Oct 6 | Oct 20 | Nov 1 |
| Hard freeze, 28°F | Mar 20 | Apr 5 | Apr 22 | Oct 18 | Oct 31 | Nov 13 |
Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.
Where these numbers come from
NOAA station Burlington Municipal Airport (USW00014931) sits 1.6 miles from the center of Burlington at 692 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.
Questions
When is the last frost in Burlington, IA?
The average last frost date in Burlington is April 15, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 1.
When is the first frost in Burlington?
The first frost in fall usually comes around October 20. One year in ten it arrives before October 6.
How long is the growing season in Burlington?
About 187 days between the average last and first frost.
When should I plant tomatoes in Burlington?
Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 22 to May 6. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.
Nearby in Iowa
- MuscatineApr 24
- DavenportApr 19
- Iowa CityApr 21
- BettendorfApr 16
- CoralvilleApr 21
- OttumwaApr 23
- North LibertyApr 21
- ClintonApr 22
- Cedar RapidsApr 27
- MarionApr 28
- DubuqueApr 19
- MarshalltownApr 28