Last frost date in Muscatine, IA

Average last frost
April 24

The average last frost in Muscatine is April 24. By May 9 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 14, which leaves 172 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 1 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 9
Average first frost
Oct 14
Frost-free season
172 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 13
Next 7 nights in Muscatine

No frost in the next 7 nights

Later than usual: the average first frost here is October 14.

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

  1. ThuOct 2252°
  2. FriOct 2353°
  3. SatOct 2453°
  4. SunOct 2553°
  5. MonOct 2649°
  6. TueOct 2745°
  7. WedOct 2847°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 24First frost Oct 14172 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND172 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Muscatine, 0.8 miles from Muscatine.

Planting calendar for Muscatine

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 1–May 15
PumpkinsMay 8–May 22
SunflowersApr 24–May 15
CucumbersMay 8–May 15
CornMay 1–May 15
Sweet potatoesMay 15–May 29
WatermelonMay 8–May 22
Green beansMay 1–May 22
ZucchiniMay 1–May 15
OkraMay 15–May 29
PeppersMay 8–May 22
BasilMay 1–May 15
Butternut squashMay 1–May 15
CantaloupeMay 8–May 22
EggplantMay 8–May 22
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 27–Apr 10
OnionsMar 13–Apr 3
CarrotsApr 3–May 8
LettuceApr 10–May 1
BroccoliMar 27–Apr 10
BeetsMar 27–May 8
PeasMar 13–Mar 27
CabbageMar 27–Apr 10
RadishesMar 20–May 1
Brussels sproutsApr 10–Apr 24
SpinachMar 13–Apr 3
CilantroApr 10–May 1
KaleMar 27–Apr 10
Collard greensMar 27–Apr 10
TurnipsMar 27–Apr 10
DillApr 24–May 8
CeleryMay 1–May 8
CauliflowerApr 10–Apr 24
LeeksApr 10–Apr 24
Swiss chardApr 10–May 8
ParsleyApr 10–May 1
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsSep 30–Nov 4
GarlicSep 23–Oct 28
Daffodil bulbsSep 16–Oct 28
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 27–Apr 10
AsparagusMar 27–Apr 10

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 9Apr 24May 9Oct 1Oct 14Oct 25
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 30Apr 13Apr 29Oct 8Oct 23Nov 4

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 Muscatine (USC00135837) sits 0.8 miles from the center of Muscatine at 549 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 Muscatine, IA?

The average last frost date in Muscatine is April 24, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 9.

When is the first frost in Muscatine?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 14. One year in ten it arrives before October 1.

How long is the growing season in Muscatine?

About 172 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Muscatine?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 1 to May 15. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Iowa

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