Last frost date in Cedar Rapids, IA
In Cedar Rapids, the last spring frost comes around April 27 in an average year. Wait until May 11 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 11, which leaves 165 frost-free days. An early freeze before September 25 happens one year in ten.
- Safe after (10% risk)
- May 11
- Average first frost
- Oct 11
- Frost-free season
- 165 days
- Hard freeze (28°F) ends
- Apr 16
No frost in the next 7 nights
Later than usual: the average first frost here is October 11.
National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC
- ThuOct 2253°
- FriOct 2355°
- SatOct 2454°
- SunOct 2552°
- MonOct 2648°
- TueOct 2745°
- WedOct 2846°
Planting calendar for Cedar Rapids
Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Iowa.
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
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
Tulip bulbsSep 27–Nov 1
GarlicSep 20–Oct 25
Daffodil bulbsSep 13–Oct 25
StrawberriesMar 30–Apr 13
AsparagusMar 30–Apr 13Frost probabilities
| Threshold | Spring, 90% chance later | Spring, 50% | Spring, 10% | Fall, 10% chance earlier | Fall, 50% | Fall, 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost, 32°F | Apr 13 | Apr 27 | May 11 | Sep 25 | Oct 11 | Oct 23 |
| Hard freeze, 28°F | Apr 3 | Apr 16 | May 1 | Oct 7 | Oct 21 | Nov 1 |
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 Cedar Rapids Municipal Airport (USW00014990) sits 5.9 miles from the center of Cedar Rapids 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 Rapids, IA?
The average last frost date in Cedar Rapids is April 27, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 11.
When is the first frost in Cedar Rapids?
The first frost in fall usually comes around October 11. One year in ten it arrives before September 25.
How long is the growing season in Cedar Rapids?
About 165 days between the average last and first frost.
When should I plant tomatoes in Cedar Rapids?
Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 4 to May 18. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.
Nearby in Iowa
- MarionApr 28
- North LibertyApr 21
- CoralvilleApr 21
- Iowa CityApr 21
- MuscatineApr 24
- WaterlooApr 27
- Cedar FallsApr 27
- DubuqueApr 19
- DavenportApr 19
- MarshalltownApr 28
- BettendorfApr 16
- ClintonApr 22