Frost Dates for Newton, IA 50208
Last spring frost April 26 · First fall frost October 2 · 159 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5b
ZIP 50208 has about 20,600 people.
Moderate season: 159 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 13–May 9 (26 days). Fall frost risk spans September 18–October 17 (29 days).
Frost probability for 50208
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 9 | April 26 | April 13 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 18 | October 2 | October 17 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MARSHALLTOWN (40.4 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 159-day season in Newton
In Newton (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 22 | May 10–May 17 | 117 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 117 available after May 10. | Jun 2 |
| Pepper | Mar 15 | May 10–May 17 | 117 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 117 available after May 10. | Jun 7 |
| Lettuce | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 11 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 201 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 5. | Jul 31 |
| Cucumber | Apr 5 | May 10–May 17 | 131 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 131 available after May 10. | Jul 6 |
| Beans | — | May 3–May 17 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 13 |
| Peas | — | Mar 1–May 10 | 222 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 222 available after Mar 1. | Jul 22 |
| Zucchini | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 131 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 18. | Jul 11 |
| Onion | Feb 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 194 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 194 available after Mar 29. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 1–Apr 19 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 30 |
| Kale | Feb 15 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Broccoli | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 194 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 194 available after Mar 29. | Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 208 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 208 available after Mar 29. | Jul 31 |
| Radish | — | Mar 1–May 24 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 31 |
| Beets | — | Mar 1–May 24 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 1 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 180 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 12. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 2 | 264 | overwinter: Plant Oct 2 to Oct 23; harvest the following summer. | Oct 23 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 22–May 17 | 215 | 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 | 131 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 131 available after May 3. | Jun 14 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 12 | May 10–May 10 | 124 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 124 available after May 10. | May 20 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 15 | Apr 19–May 3 | 173 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 19. | Jul 12 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 1 | Apr 12–Apr 12 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 1 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 1–May 24 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 30 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 208 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 208 available after Mar 29. | Jul 1 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 124 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 124 available after May 10. | May 20 |
| Eggplant | Mar 8 | May 10–May 17 | 117 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 117 available after May 10. | Jun 12 |
| Okra | Mar 29 | May 3–May 10 | 138 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 18. | Jul 11 |
| Basil | Mar 22 | May 17–May 17 | 124 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 124 available after May 17. | Jul 6 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 29–Apr 19 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 6 |
| Parsley | Feb 15 | May 3–May 10 | 159 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 159 available after May 3. | Jul 17 |
| Celery | Feb 15 | May 3–May 17 | 159 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 159 available after May 3. | May 28 |
| Scallions | Feb 15 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 10 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 20 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 15–Mar 29 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 29 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 11 |
| Collards | Feb 15 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 10 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 117 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 117 available after May 10. | May 28 |
| Chives | Feb 1 | May 3–May 10 | 173 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 173 available after May 3. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 1–May 24 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 1 |
| Oregano | Feb 15 | May 3–May 10 | 173 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 173 available after May 3. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 1 | May 3–May 10 | 159 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 159 available after May 3. | — |
| Sage | Mar 1 | May 3–May 10 | 173 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 173 available after May 3. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 15 | May 3–May 10 | 173 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 173 available after May 3. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 6 |
| Cosmos | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 10 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 6; both mature before Sep 18. | Jul 6 |
| Lavender | Feb 1 | Apr 26–May 10 | 180 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 15 | Apr 26–May 3 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 18. | Jul 16 |
| Melons | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 117 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 117 available after May 10. | May 28 |
| Mint | — | Apr 26–May 10 | 180 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 3 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 18. | Jul 11 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 3–May 17 | 138 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 138 available after May 3. | Jul 1 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 124 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 124 available after May 10. | May 30 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 26–May 10 | 145 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 145 available after Apr 26. | Jun 26 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 1 | May 3–May 10 | 124 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 124 available after May 3. | Jun 7 |
| Watermelon | Apr 12 | May 3–May 10 | 124 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 124 available after May 3. | Jun 2 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 131 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 18. | Jul 11 |
| Zinnias | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 10 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 6; both mature before Sep 18. | Jul 6 |
Month by month in Newton
| 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 20), Pumpkin (May 20), Cantaloupe (May 28), Celery (May 28), Melons (May 28), Spaghetti Squash (May 30). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Tomato (Jun 2), Watermelon (Jun 2), Pepper (Jun 7), Tomatillos (Jun 7), Eggplant (Jun 12), Corn (Jun 14), +1 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Jul 1), Pole Beans (Jul 1), Basil (Jul 6), Cosmos (Jul 6), Cucumber (Jul 6), Zinnias (Jul 6), +12 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Beets (Aug 1), Dill (Aug 1), Swiss Chard (Aug 1), Calendula (Aug 6), Cilantro (Aug 6), Collards (Aug 10), +9 more. |
| September | First fall frost approaching (around October 2). Transplant fall brassicas. Sow spinach, arugula, and radishes. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 2). First frost around October 2. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 23). |
| 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 Newton, IA (ZIP 50208)?
The median last spring frost date for Newton, IA (ZIP code 50208) 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 Newton, IA?
The median first fall frost date for Newton, IA is around October 2. 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 18 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Newton, IA?
The frost-free growing season in Newton 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 Newton (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 Newton, IA?
Newton, 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 Newton, IA?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 22 and plant out May 10 in Newton. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Newton?
Two: plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 9.
When do I plant garlic in Newton?
Oct 2 to Oct 23; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Pella (ZIP 50219) has 174 frost-free days, 15 more than Newton (ZIP 50208). See Pella ZIP 50219 frost dates
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