Frost Dates for Fort Dodge, IA 50501
Last spring frost April 29 · First fall frost October 4 · 158 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5a
ZIP 50501 has about 28,800 people.
Moderate season: 158 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 15–May 13 (28 days). Fall frost risk spans September 20–October 19 (29 days).
Frost probability for 50501
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 13 | April 29 | April 15 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 20 | October 4 | October 19 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at FT DODGE 5NNW (10.2 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 158-day season in Fort Dodge
In Fort Dodge (158 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 25 | May 13–May 20 | 116 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 116 available after May 13. | Jun 4 |
| Pepper | Mar 18 | May 13–May 20 | 116 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 116 available after May 13. | Jun 9 |
| Lettuce | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 13 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 200 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 8. | Aug 2 |
| Cucumber | Apr 8 | May 13–May 20 | 130 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 130 available after May 13. | Jul 8 |
| Beans | — | May 6–May 20 | 144 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 15 |
| Peas | — | Mar 4–May 13 | 221 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 221 available after Mar 4. | Jul 24 |
| Zucchini | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 130 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 20. | Jul 13 |
| Onion | Feb 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 193 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 1. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 4–Apr 22 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Oct 25. | Sep 1 |
| Kale | Feb 18 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Broccoli | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 193 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 1. | Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 207 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 207 available after Apr 1. | Aug 2 |
| Radish | — | Mar 4–May 27 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Oct 11. | Sep 2 |
| Beets | — | Mar 4–May 27 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 3 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 179 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 15. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 4 | 263 | overwinter: Plant Oct 4 to Oct 25; harvest the following summer. | Oct 25 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 25–May 20 | 214 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 25; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 1 | May 6–May 13 | 130 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 130 available after May 6. | Jun 16 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 15 | May 13–May 13 | 123 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 123 available after May 13. | May 22 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 18 | Apr 22–May 6 | 172 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 22. | Jul 14 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 4 | Apr 15–Apr 15 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 3 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 4–May 27 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Oct 25. | Sep 1 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 207 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 207 available after Apr 1. | Jul 3 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 123 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 123 available after May 13. | May 22 |
| Eggplant | Mar 11 | May 13–May 20 | 116 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 116 available after May 13. | Jun 14 |
| Okra | Apr 1 | May 6–May 13 | 137 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 20. | Jul 13 |
| Basil | Mar 25 | May 20–May 20 | 123 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 123 available after May 20. | Jul 8 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 1–Apr 22 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 8 |
| Parsley | Feb 18 | May 6–May 13 | 158 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 158 available after May 6. | Jul 19 |
| Celery | Feb 18 | May 6–May 20 | 158 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 158 available after May 6. | May 30 |
| Scallions | Feb 18 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 12 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 22 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 1 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 13 |
| Collards | Feb 18 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 12 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 116 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 116 available after May 13. | May 30 |
| Chives | Feb 4 | May 6–May 13 | 172 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 172 available after May 6. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 4–May 27 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 3 |
| Oregano | Feb 18 | May 6–May 13 | 172 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 172 available after May 6. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 4 | May 6–May 13 | 158 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 158 available after May 6. | — |
| Sage | Mar 4 | May 6–May 13 | 172 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 172 available after May 6. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 18 | May 6–May 13 | 172 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 172 available after May 6. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 8 |
| Cosmos | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 13 | 144 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 8; both mature before Sep 20. | Jul 8 |
| Lavender | Feb 4 | Apr 29–May 13 | 179 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 18 | Apr 29–May 6 | 144 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 20. | Jul 18 |
| Melons | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 116 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 116 available after May 13. | May 30 |
| Mint | — | Apr 29–May 13 | 179 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 6 | 144 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 20. | Jul 13 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 6–May 20 | 137 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 137 available after May 6. | Jul 3 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 123 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 123 available after May 13. | Jun 1 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 29–May 13 | 144 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 144 available after Apr 29. | Jun 28 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 4 | May 6–May 13 | 123 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 123 available after May 6. | Jun 9 |
| Watermelon | Apr 15 | May 6–May 13 | 123 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 123 available after May 6. | Jun 4 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 130 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 20. | Jul 13 |
| Zinnias | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 13 | 144 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 8; both mature before Sep 20. | Jul 8 |
Month by month in Fort Dodge
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 4), Lavender (Feb 4), Onion (Feb 4), Rosemary (Feb 4), Celery (Feb 18), Collards (Feb 18), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 4), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 4), Cabbage (Mar 4), Lettuce (Mar 4), Sage (Mar 4), Swiss Chard (Mar 4), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 4), Beets (Mar 4), Dill (Mar 4), Peas (Mar 4), Radish (Mar 4), Spinach (Mar 4), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 25). |
| April | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Apr 1), Corn (Apr 1), Cosmos (Apr 1), Nasturtiums (Apr 1), Okra (Apr 1), Zinnias (Apr 1), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 1), Turnip (Apr 1), Carrots (Apr 8), Potatoes (Apr 15), Sunflowers (Apr 29). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 1), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 1), Cabbage (Apr 1), Collards (Apr 1), Kale (Apr 1), Lettuce (Apr 1), +12 more. Last frost around April 29. |
| May | Direct sow from: Beans (May 6), Pole Beans (May 6). Transplant from: Celery (May 6), Chives (May 6), Corn (May 6), Okra (May 6), Oregano (May 6), Parsley (May 6), +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 Fort Dodge, IA (ZIP 50501)?
The median last spring frost date for Fort Dodge, IA (ZIP code 50501) is around April 29. 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 13.
What is the first fall frost date in Fort Dodge, IA?
The median first fall frost date for Fort Dodge, 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 20 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Fort Dodge, IA?
The frost-free growing season in Fort Dodge is about 158 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 Fort Dodge (158 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 Fort Dodge, IA?
Fort Dodge, 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 Fort Dodge, IA?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 25 and plant out May 13 in Fort Dodge. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Fort Dodge?
Two: plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 11.
When do I plant garlic in Fort Dodge?
Oct 4 to Oct 25; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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