Frost Dates for Muscatine, IA 52761
Last spring frost April 23 · First fall frost October 8 · 168 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5b
ZIP 52761 has about 29,500 people.
Moderate season: 168 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 8–May 9 (31 days). Fall frost risk spans September 24–October 22 (28 days).
Frost probability for 52761
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 9 | April 23 | April 8 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 24 | October 8 | October 22 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at COLUMBUS JUNCTION (30.8 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 168-day season in Muscatine
In Muscatine (168 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 19 | May 7–May 14 | 126 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 126 available after May 7. | Jun 8 |
| Pepper | Mar 12 | May 7–May 14 | 126 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 126 available after May 7. | Jun 13 |
| Lettuce | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 17 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 210 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 210 available after Apr 2. | Aug 6 |
| Cucumber | Apr 2 | May 7–May 14 | 140 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 12; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 12 |
| Beans | — | Apr 30–May 14 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
| Peas | — | Feb 26–May 7 | 231 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 231 available after Feb 26. | Jul 28 |
| Zucchini | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 140 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 17 |
| Onion | Jan 29 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 203 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 203 available after Mar 26. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 26–Apr 16 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Oct 29. | Sep 5 |
| Kale | Feb 12 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Broccoli | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 203 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 203 available after Mar 26. | Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 217 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 217 available after Mar 26. | Aug 6 |
| Radish | — | Feb 26–May 21 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Oct 15. | Sep 6 |
| Beets | — | Feb 26–May 21 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 189 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 8 | 273 | overwinter: Plant Oct 8 to Oct 29; harvest the following summer. | Oct 29 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 19–May 14 | 224 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 19; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 26 | Apr 30–May 7 | 140 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 140 available after Apr 30. | Jun 20 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 9 | May 7–May 7 | 133 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 133 available after May 7. | May 26 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 12 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 182 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 16. | Jul 18 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 26 | Apr 9–Apr 9 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 26–May 21 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Oct 29. | Sep 5 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 217 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 217 available after Mar 26. | Jul 7 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 133 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 133 available after May 7. | May 26 |
| Eggplant | Mar 5 | May 7–May 14 | 126 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 126 available after May 7. | Jun 18 |
| Okra | Mar 26 | Apr 30–May 7 | 147 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 17 |
| Basil | Mar 19 | May 14–May 14 | 133 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 133 available after May 14. | Jul 12 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 26–Apr 16 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 12 |
| Parsley | Feb 12 | Apr 30–May 7 | 168 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 30. | Jul 23 |
| Celery | Feb 12 | Apr 30–May 14 | 168 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 30. | Jun 3 |
| Scallions | Feb 12 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 16 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 26 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 26 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 17 |
| Collards | Feb 12 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 16 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 126 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 126 available after May 7. | Jun 3 |
| Chives | Jan 29 | Apr 30–May 7 | 182 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 26–May 21 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Oregano | Feb 12 | Apr 30–May 7 | 182 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 29 | Apr 30–May 7 | 168 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Sage | Feb 26 | Apr 30–May 7 | 182 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 12 | Apr 30–May 7 | 182 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 12 |
| Cosmos | Mar 26 | Apr 23–May 7 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Jul 12; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 12 |
| Lavender | Jan 29 | Apr 23–May 7 | 189 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 23. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 12 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 22 |
| Melons | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 126 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 126 available after May 7. | Jun 3 |
| Mint | — | Apr 23–May 7 | 189 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 23. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 17 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 30–May 14 | 147 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 147 available after Apr 30. | Jul 7 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 133 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 133 available after May 7. | Jun 5 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 23–May 7 | 154 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 154 available after Apr 23. | Jul 2 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 26 | Apr 30–May 7 | 133 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 133 available after Apr 30. | Jun 13 |
| Watermelon | Apr 9 | Apr 30–May 7 | 133 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 133 available after Apr 30. | Jun 8 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 140 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 17 |
| Zinnias | Mar 26 | Apr 23–May 7 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Jul 12; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 12 |
Month by month in Muscatine
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 29), Lavender (Jan 29), Onion (Jan 29), Rosemary (Jan 29). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 12), Collards (Feb 12), Kale (Feb 12), Oregano (Feb 12), Parsley (Feb 12), Scallions (Feb 12), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 26), Beets (Feb 26), Dill (Feb 26), Peas (Feb 26), Radish (Feb 26), Spinach (Feb 26). |
| March | Start indoors: Eggplant (Mar 5), Calendula (Mar 12), Cauliflower (Mar 12), Marigolds (Mar 12), Pepper (Mar 12), Basil (Mar 19), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 12), Cilantro (Mar 26), Turnip (Mar 26). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 26), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 26), Cabbage (Mar 26), Collards (Mar 26), Kale (Mar 26), Lettuce (Mar 26), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 19). |
| April | Start indoors: Cucumber (Apr 2), Butternut Squash (Apr 9), Cantaloupe (Apr 9), Melons (Apr 9), Pumpkin (Apr 9), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 9), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Apr 2), Potatoes (Apr 9), Sunflowers (Apr 23), Beans (Apr 30), Pole Beans (Apr 30). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 9), Swiss Chard (Apr 9), Bok Choy (Apr 16), Cauliflower (Apr 16), Cosmos (Apr 23), Lavender (Apr 23), +15 more. Last frost around April 23. |
| May | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (May 7), Cantaloupe (May 7), Cucumber (May 7), Eggplant (May 7), Melons (May 7), Pepper (May 7), +6 more. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 26), Pumpkin (May 26). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 3), Celery (Jun 3), Melons (Jun 3), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 5), Tomato (Jun 8), Watermelon (Jun 8), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 2), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 7), Pole Beans (Jul 7), Basil (Jul 12), Cosmos (Jul 12), Cucumber (Jul 12), +11 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 6), Carrots (Aug 6), Beets (Aug 7), Dill (Aug 7), Swiss Chard (Aug 7), Calendula (Aug 12), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 5), Spinach (Sep 5), Radish (Sep 6). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 8). First frost around October 8. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 29). |
| 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 Muscatine, IA (ZIP 52761)?
The median last spring frost date for Muscatine, IA (ZIP code 52761) is around April 23. 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 8; one in ten it runs past May 9.
What is the first fall frost date in Muscatine, IA?
The median first fall frost date for Muscatine, IA is around October 8. 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 24 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Muscatine, IA?
The frost-free growing season in Muscatine is about 168 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 Muscatine (168 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 Muscatine, IA?
Muscatine, 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 Muscatine, IA?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 19 and plant out May 7 in Muscatine. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Muscatine?
Two: plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 15.
When do I plant garlic in Muscatine?
Oct 8 to Oct 29; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Moline (ZIP 61265) has 178 frost-free days, 10 more than Muscatine (ZIP 52761). See Moline ZIP 61265 frost dates
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