When is the last frost in Cedar Rapids, IA?

The average (50% probability) last spring frost in Cedar Rapids is April 27, based on NOAA 1991–2020 normals. A 1-in-10 risk remains until May 11.

When is the first frost in Cedar Rapids?

The average first fall frost in Cedar Rapids is October 11, with a growing season of about 165 days.

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Cedar Rapids, Iowa frost dates

Average last spring frost: April 27. Average first fall frost: October 11. That gives a growing season of about 165 days. For frost-tender plants, a safer planting date is May 11, after which a freeze happens in only 1 year in 10.

Last frost (50%)

Apr 27

1-in-10 risk after May 11

First frost (50%)

Oct 11

1-in-10 risk before Sep 25

Growing season

165 days

median frost-free days

Hard freeze (28°F)

Apr 16

median last 28°F in spring

Frost risk by date

Chance of frost	Spring: frost after	Fall: frost before
90%	April 13	October 23
70%	April 22	October 16
50%	April 27	October 11
30%	May 3	October 5
10%	May 11	September 25

Read the spring column like this: there is a 10% chance of a 32°F freeze after May 11. These are NOAA probabilities for the Cedar Rapids Muni Airport weather station (USW00014990, elevation 265 m), 1991–2020.

Cedar Rapids vegetable planting calendar

Dates count from the 50% last-frost date (April 27). For tomatoes, peppers and other frost-tender crops, waiting until the 10% date (May 11) is the cautious choice.

Crop	Start seeds indoors	Plant out
Beans	Apr 6	May 4 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Broccoli	Feb 16	Mar 30
Brussels sprouts	Feb 16	Mar 30
Cabbage	Feb 9	Mar 23
Cauliflower	Mar 2	Apr 13
Sweet corn	Mar 30	Apr 27 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Cucumbers	Apr 13	May 4
Kale	Feb 9	Mar 23
Leeks	Jan 12	Mar 23
Lettuce	Mar 9	Apr 13
Melons	Apr 20	May 11
Onions	Jan 5	Mar 16 (from seed; sets and transplants go out at the same time)
Peas	Mar 2	Mar 30 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Peppers	Mar 16	May 11
Squash	Apr 20	May 11
Tomatoes	Mar 2	Apr 27

Offsets from Oregon State University Extension's seed-starting table. "Plant out" means transplant, or sow directly for crops usually grown from seed.

Fall frost and season extension

The first fall freeze usually arrives around October 11. There's a 1-in-10 chance it comes before September 25. Harvest tender crops such as basil, tomatoes, peppers and squash before then, or cover them on cold nights. Cool-season crops like kale, cabbage and Brussels sprouts handle light frost, and often taste sweeter after it. A hard freeze (28°F) typically comes around October 21.

Nearby cities

City	Last frost (50%)	First frost (50%)	Distance
Des Moines, IA	Apr 18	Oct 20	~165 km
Peoria, IL	Apr 16	Oct 23	~215 km
Madison, WI	May 1	Oct 10	~241 km
Springfield, IL	Apr 14	Oct 20	~282 km
Chicago, IL	Apr 16	Oct 28	~313 km
Milwaukee, WI	Apr 19	Oct 29	~337 km

More: all Iowa frost dates