Frost Dates for Mount Pleasant, IA 52641
Last spring frost April 20 · First fall frost October 10 · 173 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5b
ZIP 52641 has about 12,400 people.
Moderate season: 173 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 5–May 5 (30 days). Fall frost risk spans September 25–October 24 (29 days).
Frost probability for 52641
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 5 | April 20 | April 5 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 25 | October 10 | October 24 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MT PLEASANT 1 SSW (4.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 173-day season in Mount Pleasant
In Mount Pleasant (173 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 16 | May 4–May 11 | 131 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 131 available after May 4. | Jun 10 |
| Pepper | Mar 9 | May 4–May 11 | 131 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 131 available after May 4. | Jun 15 |
| Lettuce | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Mar 30 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 19 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 215 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 215 available after Mar 30. | Aug 8 |
| Cucumber | Mar 30 | May 4–May 11 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 14 |
| Beans | — | Apr 27–May 11 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 21 |
| Peas | — | Feb 23–May 4 | 236 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 236 available after Feb 23. | Jul 30 |
| Zucchini | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 19 |
| Onion | Jan 26 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 208 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 208 available after Mar 23. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 23–Apr 13 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Oct 31. | Sep 7 |
| Kale | Feb 9 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 23 |
| Broccoli | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 208 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 208 available after Mar 23. | Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 222 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 222 available after Mar 23. | Aug 8 |
| Radish | — | Feb 23–May 18 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Oct 17. | Sep 8 |
| Beets | — | Feb 23–May 18 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 9 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 194 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 6. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 10 | 278 | overwinter: Plant Oct 10 to Oct 31; harvest the following summer. | Oct 31 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 16–May 11 | 229 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 16; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 145 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 145 available after Apr 27. | Jun 22 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 6 | May 4–May 4 | 138 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 138 available after May 4. | May 28 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 9 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 187 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 13. | Jul 20 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 23 | Apr 6–Apr 6 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 9 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 23–May 18 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Oct 31. | Sep 7 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 222 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 222 available after Mar 23. | Jul 9 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 138 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 138 available after May 4. | May 28 |
| Eggplant | Mar 2 | May 4–May 11 | 131 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 131 available after May 4. | Jun 20 |
| Okra | Mar 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 19 |
| Basil | Mar 16 | May 11–May 11 | 138 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 14 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 23–Apr 13 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 14 |
| Parsley | Feb 9 | Apr 27–May 4 | 173 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 27. | Jul 25 |
| Celery | Feb 9 | Apr 27–May 11 | 173 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 27. | Jun 5 |
| Scallions | Feb 9 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 18 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 28 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 9–Mar 23 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 23 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 23 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 19 |
| Collards | Feb 9 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 18 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 131 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 131 available after May 4. | Jun 5 |
| Chives | Jan 26 | Apr 27–May 4 | 187 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 23–May 18 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 9 |
| Oregano | Feb 9 | Apr 27–May 4 | 187 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 26 | Apr 27–May 4 | 173 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Sage | Feb 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 187 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 9 | Apr 27–May 4 | 187 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 14 |
| Cosmos | Mar 23 | Apr 20–May 4 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 14 |
| Lavender | Jan 26 | Apr 20–May 4 | 194 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 9 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 24 |
| Melons | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 131 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 131 available after May 4. | Jun 5 |
| Mint | — | Apr 20–May 4 | 194 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 23 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 19 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 27–May 11 | 152 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 152 available after Apr 27. | Jul 9 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 138 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 138 available after May 4. | Jun 7 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 20–May 4 | 159 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 20. | Jul 4 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 138 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 138 available after Apr 27. | Jun 15 |
| Watermelon | Apr 6 | Apr 27–May 4 | 138 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 138 available after Apr 27. | Jun 10 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 19 |
| Zinnias | Mar 23 | Apr 20–May 4 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 14 |
Month by month in Mount Pleasant
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 26), Lavender (Jan 26), Onion (Jan 26), Rosemary (Jan 26). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 9), Collards (Feb 9), Kale (Feb 9), Oregano (Feb 9), Parsley (Feb 9), Scallions (Feb 9), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 23), Beets (Feb 23), Dill (Feb 23), Peas (Feb 23), Radish (Feb 23), Spinach (Feb 23). |
| March | Start indoors: Eggplant (Mar 2), Calendula (Mar 9), Cauliflower (Mar 9), Marigolds (Mar 9), Pepper (Mar 9), Basil (Mar 16), +8 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 9), Cilantro (Mar 23), Turnip (Mar 23), Carrots (Mar 30). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 23), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 23), Cabbage (Mar 23), Collards (Mar 23), Kale (Mar 23), Lettuce (Mar 23), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 16). |
| April | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Apr 6), Cantaloupe (Apr 6), Melons (Apr 6), Pumpkin (Apr 6), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 6), Watermelon (Apr 6), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Apr 6), Sunflowers (Apr 20), Beans (Apr 27), Pole Beans (Apr 27). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 6), Swiss Chard (Apr 6), Bok Choy (Apr 13), Cauliflower (Apr 13), Cosmos (Apr 20), Lavender (Apr 20), +15 more. Last frost around April 20. |
| May | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (May 4), Cantaloupe (May 4), Cucumber (May 4), Eggplant (May 4), Melons (May 4), Pepper (May 4), +6 more. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 28), Pumpkin (May 28). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 5), Celery (Jun 5), Melons (Jun 5), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 7), Tomato (Jun 10), Watermelon (Jun 10), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 4), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 9), Pole Beans (Jul 9), Basil (Jul 14), Cosmos (Jul 14), Cucumber (Jul 14), +11 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 8), Carrots (Aug 8), Beets (Aug 9), Dill (Aug 9), Swiss Chard (Aug 9), Calendula (Aug 14), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 7), Spinach (Sep 7), Radish (Sep 8). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 10). First frost around October 10. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 31). |
| 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 Mount Pleasant, IA (ZIP 52641)?
The median last spring frost date for Mount Pleasant, IA (ZIP code 52641) is around April 20. 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 5; one in ten it runs past May 5.
What is the first fall frost date in Mount Pleasant, IA?
The median first fall frost date for Mount Pleasant, IA is around October 10. 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 25 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Mount Pleasant, IA?
The frost-free growing season in Mount Pleasant is about 173 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 Mount Pleasant (173 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Mount Pleasant, IA?
Mount Pleasant, 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 Mount Pleasant, IA?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 16 and plant out May 4 in Mount Pleasant. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Mount Pleasant?
Two: plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 17.
When do I plant garlic in Mount Pleasant?
Oct 10 to Oct 31; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Fort Madison (ZIP 52627) has 188 frost-free days, 15 more than Mount Pleasant (ZIP 52641). See Fort Madison ZIP 52627 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Fairfield, IA 52556 (17.9 mi)
- Frost dates for Fort Madison, IA 52627 (25.7 mi)
- Frost dates for Burlington, IA 52601 (26.4 mi)
- Frost dates for Keokuk, IA 52632 (38.5 mi)
- Frost dates for Muscatine, IA 52761 (41.5 mi)
- When to plant in IA
- When to plant Peppers in IA
- When to plant Cucumbers in IA
- When to plant Zucchini in IA
- When to plant Butternut Squash in IA
- When to plant Basil in IA
- When to plant Sweet Corn in IA
- Look up another ZIP