Last frost date in Council Bluffs, IA

Average last frost
April 18

The average last frost in Council Bluffs is April 18. By April 30 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 21, which leaves 185 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 6 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Apr 30
Average first frost
Oct 21
Frost-free season
185 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 8
Next 7 nights in Council Bluffs

No frost in the next 7 nights

Later than usual: the average first frost here is October 21.

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

  1. ThuOct 2257°
  2. FriOct 2360°
  3. SatOct 2454°
  4. SunOct 2552°
  5. MonOct 2645°
  6. TueOct 2744°
  7. WedOct 2846°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 18First frost Oct 21185 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND185 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Omaha Eppley Airfield, 5.6 miles from Council Bluffs.

Planting calendar for Council Bluffs

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
TomatoesApr 25–May 9
PumpkinsMay 2–May 16
SunflowersApr 18–May 9
CucumbersMay 2–May 9
CornApr 25–May 9
Sweet potatoesMay 9–May 23
WatermelonMay 2–May 16
Green beansApr 25–May 16
ZucchiniApr 25–May 9
OkraMay 9–May 23
PeppersMay 2–May 16
BasilApr 25–May 9
Butternut squashApr 25–May 9
CantaloupeMay 2–May 16
EggplantMay 2–May 16
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 21–Apr 4
OnionsMar 7–Mar 28
CarrotsMar 28–May 2
LettuceApr 4–Apr 25
BroccoliMar 21–Apr 4
BeetsMar 21–May 2
PeasMar 7–Mar 21
CabbageMar 21–Apr 4
RadishesMar 14–Apr 25
Brussels sproutsApr 4–Apr 18
SpinachMar 7–Mar 28
CilantroApr 4–Apr 25
KaleMar 21–Apr 4
Collard greensMar 21–Apr 4
TurnipsMar 21–Apr 4
DillApr 18–May 2
CeleryApr 25–May 2
CauliflowerApr 4–Apr 18
LeeksApr 4–Apr 18
Swiss chardApr 4–May 2
ParsleyApr 4–Apr 25
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 7–Nov 11
GarlicSep 30–Nov 4
Daffodil bulbsSep 23–Nov 4
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 21–Apr 4
AsparagusMar 21–Apr 4

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 5Apr 18Apr 30Oct 6Oct 21Nov 1
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 24Apr 8Apr 21Oct 17Oct 30Nov 11

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 Omaha Eppley Airfield (USW00014942) sits 5.6 miles from the center of Council Bluffs at 982 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 Council Bluffs, IA?

The average last frost date in Council Bluffs is April 18, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 30.

When is the first frost in Council Bluffs?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 21. One year in ten it arrives before October 6.

How long is the growing season in Council Bluffs?

About 185 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Council Bluffs?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 25 to May 9. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Iowa

All 27 cities in Iowa