Last frost date in Fort Dodge, IA

Average last frost
April 28

The average last frost in Fort Dodge is April 28. By May 9 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 8, which leaves 162 frost-free days. An early freeze before September 24 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 9
Average first frost
Oct 8
Frost-free season
162 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 17
Next 7 nights in Fort Dodge

No frost in the next 7 nights

Later than usual: the average first frost here is October 8.

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

  1. ThuOct 2254°
  2. FriOct 2358°
  3. SatOct 2452°
  4. SunOct 2548°
  5. MonOct 2643°
  6. TueOct 2741°
  7. WedOct 2843°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 28First frost Oct 8162 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND162 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Fort Dodge 5NNW, 5.3 miles from Fort Dodge.

Planting calendar for Fort Dodge

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 5–May 19
PumpkinsMay 12–May 26
SunflowersApr 28–May 19
CucumbersMay 12–May 19
CornMay 5–May 19
Sweet potatoesMay 19–Jun 2
WatermelonMay 12–May 26
Green beansMay 5–May 26
ZucchiniMay 5–May 19
OkraMay 19–Jun 2
PeppersMay 12–May 26
BasilMay 5–May 19
Butternut squashMay 5–May 19
CantaloupeMay 12–May 26
EggplantMay 12–May 26
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 31–Apr 14
OnionsMar 17–Apr 7
CarrotsApr 7–May 12
LettuceApr 14–May 5
BroccoliMar 31–Apr 14
BeetsMar 31–May 12
PeasMar 17–Mar 31
CabbageMar 31–Apr 14
RadishesMar 24–May 5
Brussels sproutsApr 14–Apr 28
SpinachMar 17–Apr 7
CilantroApr 14–May 5
KaleMar 31–Apr 14
Collard greensMar 31–Apr 14
TurnipsMar 31–Apr 14
DillApr 28–May 12
CeleryMay 5–May 12
CauliflowerApr 14–Apr 28
LeeksApr 14–Apr 28
Swiss chardApr 14–May 12
ParsleyApr 14–May 5
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsSep 24–Oct 29
GarlicSep 17–Oct 22
Daffodil bulbsSep 10–Oct 22
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 31–Apr 14
AsparagusMar 31–Apr 14

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 13Apr 28May 9Sep 24Oct 8Oct 22
Hard freeze, 28°FApr 4Apr 17May 1Oct 3Oct 19Nov 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 Fort Dodge 5NNW (USC00132999) sits 5.3 miles from the center of Fort Dodge at 1,115 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 Fort Dodge, IA?

The average last frost date in Fort Dodge is April 28, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 9.

When is the first frost in Fort Dodge?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 8. One year in ten it arrives before September 24.

How long is the growing season in Fort Dodge?

About 162 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Fort Dodge?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 5 to May 19. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Iowa

All 27 cities in Iowa