Frost Dates for Boone, IA 50036
Last spring frost April 28 · First fall frost October 4 · 159 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5a
ZIP 50036 has about 16,200 people.
Moderate season: 159 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 15–May 10 (25 days). Fall frost risk spans September 21–October 16 (25 days).
Frost probability for 50036
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 10 | April 28 | April 15 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 21 | October 4 | October 16 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at PERRY (35.0 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 159-day season in Boone
In Boone (159 frost-free days, a moderate season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 23 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 24 | May 12–May 19 | 117 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 117 available after May 12. | Jun 4 |
| Pepper | Mar 17 | May 12–May 19 | 117 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 117 available after May 12. | Jun 9 |
| Lettuce | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 13 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 201 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 7. | Aug 2 |
| Cucumber | Apr 7 | May 12–May 19 | 131 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 131 available after May 12. | Jul 8 |
| Beans | — | May 5–May 19 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 15 |
| Peas | — | Mar 3–May 12 | 222 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 222 available after Mar 3. | Jul 24 |
| Zucchini | Apr 14 | May 12–May 19 | 131 | two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 20. | Jul 13 |
| Onion | Feb 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 194 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 194 available after Mar 31. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 3–Apr 21 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Oct 25. | Sep 1 |
| Kale | Feb 17 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Broccoli | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 194 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 194 available after Mar 31. | Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 208 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 208 available after Mar 31. | Aug 2 |
| Radish | — | Mar 3–May 26 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Oct 11. | Sep 2 |
| Beets | — | Mar 3–May 26 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 3 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 180 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 14. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 4 | 264 | overwinter: Plant Oct 4 to Oct 25; harvest the following summer. | Oct 25 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 24–May 19 | 215 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 24; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 31 | May 5–May 12 | 131 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 131 available after May 5. | Jun 16 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 14 | May 12–May 12 | 124 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 124 available after May 12. | May 22 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 17 | Apr 21–May 5 | 173 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 21. | Jul 14 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 3 | Apr 14–Apr 14 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 3 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 3–May 26 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Oct 25. | Sep 1 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 208 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 208 available after Mar 31. | Jul 3 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 14 | May 12–May 19 | 124 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 124 available after May 12. | May 22 |
| Eggplant | Mar 10 | May 12–May 19 | 117 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 117 available after May 12. | Jun 14 |
| Okra | Mar 31 | May 5–May 12 | 138 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 20. | Jul 13 |
| Basil | Mar 24 | May 19–May 19 | 124 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 124 available after May 19. | Jul 8 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 31–Apr 21 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 8 |
| Parsley | Feb 17 | May 5–May 12 | 159 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 159 available after May 5. | Jul 19 |
| Celery | Feb 17 | May 5–May 19 | 159 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 159 available after May 5. | May 30 |
| Scallions | Feb 17 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 12 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 22 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 31 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 13 |
| Collards | Feb 17 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 12 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 14 | May 12–May 19 | 117 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 117 available after May 12. | May 30 |
| Chives | Feb 3 | May 5–May 12 | 173 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 173 available after May 5. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 3–May 26 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 3 |
| Oregano | Feb 17 | May 5–May 12 | 173 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 173 available after May 5. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 3 | May 5–May 12 | 159 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 159 available after May 5. | — |
| Sage | Mar 3 | May 5–May 12 | 173 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 173 available after May 5. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 17 | May 5–May 12 | 173 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 173 available after May 5. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 8 |
| Cosmos | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 12 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 8; both mature before Sep 20. | Jul 8 |
| Lavender | Feb 3 | Apr 28–May 12 | 180 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 28. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 17 | Apr 28–May 5 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 20. | Jul 18 |
| Melons | Apr 14 | May 12–May 19 | 117 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 117 available after May 12. | May 30 |
| Mint | — | Apr 28–May 12 | 180 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 28. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 20. | Jul 13 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 5–May 19 | 138 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 138 available after May 5. | Jul 3 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 14 | May 12–May 19 | 124 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 124 available after May 12. | Jun 1 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 28–May 12 | 145 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 145 available after Apr 28. | Jun 28 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 3 | May 5–May 12 | 124 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 124 available after May 5. | Jun 9 |
| Watermelon | Apr 14 | May 5–May 12 | 124 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 124 available after May 5. | Jun 4 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 14 | May 12–May 19 | 131 | two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 20. | Jul 13 |
| Zinnias | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 12 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 8; both mature before Sep 20. | Jul 8 |
Month by month in Boone
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 3), Lavender (Feb 3), Onion (Feb 3), Rosemary (Feb 3), Celery (Feb 17), Collards (Feb 17), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 3), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 3), Cabbage (Mar 3), Lettuce (Mar 3), Sage (Mar 3), Swiss Chard (Mar 3), +14 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 3), Beets (Mar 3), Dill (Mar 3), Peas (Mar 3), Radish (Mar 3), Spinach (Mar 3), +3 more. Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 31), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 31), Cabbage (Mar 31), Collards (Mar 31), Kale (Mar 31), Lettuce (Mar 31), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 24). |
| April | Start indoors: Cucumber (Apr 7), Butternut Squash (Apr 14), Cantaloupe (Apr 14), Melons (Apr 14), Pumpkin (Apr 14), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 14), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Apr 7), Potatoes (Apr 14), Sunflowers (Apr 28). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 14), Swiss Chard (Apr 14), Bok Choy (Apr 21), Cauliflower (Apr 21), Cosmos (Apr 28), Lavender (Apr 28), +4 more. Last frost around April 28. |
| May | Direct sow from: Beans (May 5), Pole Beans (May 5). Transplant from: Celery (May 5), Chives (May 5), Corn (May 5), Okra (May 5), Oregano (May 5), Parsley (May 5), +17 more. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 22), Pumpkin (May 22), Cantaloupe (May 30), Celery (May 30), Melons (May 30). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Spaghetti Squash (Jun 1), Tomato (Jun 4), Watermelon (Jun 4), Pepper (Jun 9), Tomatillos (Jun 9), Eggplant (Jun 14), +2 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Jul 3), Pole Beans (Jul 3), Basil (Jul 8), Cosmos (Jul 8), Cucumber (Jul 8), Zinnias (Jul 8), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 2), Carrots (Aug 2), Beets (Aug 3), Dill (Aug 3), Swiss Chard (Aug 3), Calendula (Aug 8), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 1), Spinach (Sep 1), Radish (Sep 2). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 4). First frost around October 4. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 25). |
| 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 Boone, IA (ZIP 50036)?
The median last spring frost date for Boone, IA (ZIP code 50036) is around April 28. 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 15; one in ten it runs past May 10.
What is the first fall frost date in Boone, IA?
The median first fall frost date for Boone, IA is around October 4. 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 Boone, IA?
The frost-free growing season in Boone is about 159 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 Boone (159 frost-free days, a moderate season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 23 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Boone, IA?
Boone, IA is in USDA hardiness zone 5a (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 Boone, IA?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 24 and plant out May 12 in Boone. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Boone?
Two: plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 11.
When do I plant garlic in Boone?
Oct 4 to Oct 25; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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