Last frost date in Cedar Falls, IA

Average last frost
April 27

Expect the last frost in Cedar Falls around April 27. Frost after May 10 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 10, which leaves 165 frost-free days. An early freeze before September 26 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 10
Average first frost
Oct 10
Frost-free season
165 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 16
Next 7 nights in Cedar Falls

No frost in the next 7 nights

Later than usual: the average first frost here is October 10.

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2253°
  2. FriOct 2356°
  3. SatOct 2454°
  4. SunOct 2550°
  5. MonOct 2644°
  6. TueOct 2743°
  7. WedOct 2844°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 27First frost Oct 10165 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND165 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Waterloo Municipal Airport, 3.6 miles from Cedar Falls.

Planting calendar for Cedar Falls

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Iowa.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesMay 4–May 18
PumpkinsMay 11–May 25
SunflowersApr 27–May 18
CucumbersMay 11–May 18
CornMay 4–May 18
Sweet potatoesMay 18–Jun 1
WatermelonMay 11–May 25
Green beansMay 4–May 25
ZucchiniMay 4–May 18
OkraMay 18–Jun 1
PeppersMay 11–May 25
BasilMay 4–May 18
Butternut squashMay 4–May 18
CantaloupeMay 11–May 25
EggplantMay 11–May 25
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 30–Apr 13
OnionsMar 16–Apr 6
CarrotsApr 6–May 11
LettuceApr 13–May 4
BroccoliMar 30–Apr 13
BeetsMar 30–May 11
PeasMar 16–Mar 30
CabbageMar 30–Apr 13
RadishesMar 23–May 4
Brussels sproutsApr 13–Apr 27
SpinachMar 16–Apr 6
CilantroApr 13–May 4
KaleMar 30–Apr 13
Collard greensMar 30–Apr 13
TurnipsMar 30–Apr 13
DillApr 27–May 11
CeleryMay 4–May 11
CauliflowerApr 13–Apr 27
LeeksApr 13–Apr 27
Swiss chardApr 13–May 11
ParsleyApr 13–May 4
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsSep 26–Oct 31
GarlicSep 19–Oct 24
Daffodil bulbsSep 12–Oct 24
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 30–Apr 13
AsparagusMar 30–Apr 13

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 11Apr 27May 10Sep 26Oct 10Oct 21
Hard freeze, 28°FApr 3Apr 16May 2Oct 6Oct 20Oct 31

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 Waterloo Municipal Airport (USW00094910) sits 3.6 miles from the center of Cedar Falls at 868 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 Cedar Falls, IA?

The average last frost date in Cedar Falls is April 27, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 10.

When is the first frost in Cedar Falls?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 10. One year in ten it arrives before September 26.

How long is the growing season in Cedar Falls?

About 165 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Cedar Falls?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 4 to May 18. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Iowa

All 27 cities in Iowa