Frost Dates for Ames, IA 50012
Ames has 4 ZIP codes. The Ames, IA frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 26 · First fall frost October 6 · 163 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5b
ZIP 50012 has about 1,910 people, one of 4 ZIP codes in Ames.
Moderate season: 163 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 13–May 9 (26 days). Fall frost risk spans September 21–October 20 (29 days).
Frost probability for 50012
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 9 | April 26 | April 13 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 21 | October 6 | October 20 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at AMES 8 WSW (10.2 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 163-day season in Ames
In Ames (163 frost-free days, a moderate season), 31 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 24 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 22 | May 10–May 17 | 121 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 121 available after May 10. | Jun 6 |
| Pepper | Mar 15 | May 10–May 17 | 121 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 121 available after May 10. | Jun 11 |
| Lettuce | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 15 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 205 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 205 available after Apr 5. | Aug 4 |
| Cucumber | Apr 5 | May 10–May 17 | 135 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 10; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 10 |
| Beans | — | May 3–May 17 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 17 |
| Peas | — | Mar 1–May 10 | 226 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 226 available after Mar 1. | Jul 26 |
| Zucchini | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 135 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 15 |
| Onion | Feb 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 198 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 198 available after Mar 29. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 1–Apr 19 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Oct 27. | Sep 3 |
| Kale | Feb 15 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 19 |
| Broccoli | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 198 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 198 available after Mar 29. | Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 212 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 212 available after Mar 29. | Aug 4 |
| Radish | — | Mar 1–May 24 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Oct 13. | Sep 4 |
| Beets | — | Mar 1–May 24 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 184 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 12. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 6 | 268 | overwinter: Plant Oct 6 to Oct 27; harvest the following summer. | Oct 27 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 22–May 17 | 219 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 22; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 29 | May 3–May 10 | 135 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 135 available after May 3. | Jun 18 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 12 | May 10–May 10 | 128 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 128 available after May 10. | May 24 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 15 | Apr 19–May 3 | 177 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 19. | Jul 16 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 1 | Apr 12–Apr 12 | 184 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 1–May 24 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Oct 27. | Sep 3 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 212 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 212 available after Mar 29. | Jul 5 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 128 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 128 available after May 10. | May 24 |
| Eggplant | Mar 8 | May 10–May 17 | 121 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 121 available after May 10. | Jun 16 |
| Okra | Mar 29 | May 3–May 10 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 15 |
| Basil | Mar 22 | May 17–May 17 | 128 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 128 available after May 17. | Jul 10 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 29–Apr 19 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 10 |
| Parsley | Feb 15 | May 3–May 10 | 163 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 163 available after May 3. | Jul 21 |
| Celery | Feb 15 | May 3–May 17 | 163 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 163 available after May 3. | Jun 1 |
| Scallions | Feb 15 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 14 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 24 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 15–Mar 29 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 19 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 29 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 177 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 15 |
| Collards | Feb 15 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 14 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 121 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 121 available after May 10. | Jun 1 |
| Chives | Feb 1 | May 3–May 10 | 177 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 177 available after May 3. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 1–May 24 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Oregano | Feb 15 | May 3–May 10 | 177 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 177 available after May 3. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 1 | May 3–May 10 | 163 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 163 available after May 3. | — |
| Sage | Mar 1 | May 3–May 10 | 177 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 177 available after May 3. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 15 | May 3–May 10 | 177 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 177 available after May 3. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 184 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 10 |
| Cosmos | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 10 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 10; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 10 |
| Lavender | Feb 1 | Apr 26–May 10 | 184 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 15 | Apr 26–May 3 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 20 |
| Melons | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 121 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 121 available after May 10. | Jun 1 |
| Mint | — | Apr 26–May 10 | 184 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 3 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 15 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 3–May 17 | 142 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 142 available after May 3. | Jul 5 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 128 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 128 available after May 10. | Jun 3 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 26–May 10 | 149 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 149 available after Apr 26. | Jun 30 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 1 | May 3–May 10 | 128 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 128 available after May 3. | Jun 11 |
| Watermelon | Apr 12 | May 3–May 10 | 128 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 128 available after May 3. | Jun 6 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 135 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 15 |
| Zinnias | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 10 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 10; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 10 |
Month by month in Ames
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 1), Lavender (Feb 1), Onion (Feb 1), Rosemary (Feb 1), Celery (Feb 15), Collards (Feb 15), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 1), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 1), Cabbage (Mar 1), Lettuce (Mar 1), Sage (Mar 1), Swiss Chard (Mar 1), +14 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 1), Beets (Mar 1), Dill (Mar 1), Peas (Mar 1), Radish (Mar 1), Spinach (Mar 1), +3 more. Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 29), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 29), Cabbage (Mar 29), Collards (Mar 29), Kale (Mar 29), Lettuce (Mar 29), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 22). |
| April | Start indoors: Cucumber (Apr 5), Butternut Squash (Apr 12), Cantaloupe (Apr 12), Melons (Apr 12), Pumpkin (Apr 12), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 12), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Apr 5), Potatoes (Apr 12), Sunflowers (Apr 26). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 12), Swiss Chard (Apr 12), Bok Choy (Apr 19), Cauliflower (Apr 19), Cosmos (Apr 26), Lavender (Apr 26), +4 more. Last frost around April 26. |
| May | Direct sow from: Beans (May 3), Pole Beans (May 3). Transplant from: Celery (May 3), Chives (May 3), Corn (May 3), Okra (May 3), Oregano (May 3), Parsley (May 3), +17 more. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 24), Pumpkin (May 24). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 1), Celery (Jun 1), Melons (Jun 1), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 3), Tomato (Jun 6), Watermelon (Jun 6), +5 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Jul 5), Pole Beans (Jul 5), Basil (Jul 10), Cosmos (Jul 10), Cucumber (Jul 10), Zinnias (Jul 10), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 4), Carrots (Aug 4), Beets (Aug 5), Dill (Aug 5), Swiss Chard (Aug 5), Calendula (Aug 10), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 3), Spinach (Sep 3), Radish (Sep 4). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 6). First frost around October 6. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 27). |
| November | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Ames, IA (ZIP 50012)?
The median last spring frost date for Ames, IA (ZIP code 50012) is around April 26. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before April 13; one in ten it runs past May 9.
What is the first fall frost date in Ames, IA?
The median first fall frost date for Ames, IA is around October 6. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around September 21 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Ames, IA?
The frost-free growing season in Ames is about 163 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Ames (163 frost-free days, a moderate season), 31 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 24 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Ames, IA?
Ames, IA is in USDA hardiness zone 5b (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Ames, IA?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 22 and plant out May 10 in Ames. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Ames?
Two: plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 13.
When do I plant garlic in Ames?
Oct 6 to Oct 27; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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