Creston 2 SW, IA Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Creston 2 SW garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Apr 28
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 11
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
166 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 5b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Apr 14 Apr 28 May 9
First fall frost Oct 26 Oct 11 Sep 24
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Apr 17 · first Oct 23

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the CRESTON 2 SW station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Creston 2 SW

Computed from Creston 2 SW's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-5 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Mar 3 – Mar 17 May 5 – May 12
🫑 Peppers Feb 17 – Mar 3 May 12 – May 19
🥬 Lettuce Mar 17 – Mar 31 Mar 31 – Apr 14 Mar 31 – Apr 28
🫛 Peas Mar 17 – Mar 31
🥕 Carrots Apr 7 – Apr 28
🥦 Broccoli Mar 10 – Mar 24 Apr 7 – Apr 21
🥬 Kale Mar 17 – Mar 31 Mar 31 – Apr 14 Mar 31 – Apr 14
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 31 – Apr 7 May 5 – May 12 May 5 – May 12
🥒 Zucchini Mar 31 – Apr 7 May 5 – May 12 May 5 – May 12
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) May 5 – May 12
🌽 Sweet Corn May 5 – May 12
🌿 Basil Mar 17 – Mar 31 May 5 – May 12 May 12 – May 19
🧄 Garlic Fall: Aug 30 – Sep 27

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Creston 2 SW's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Creston 2 SW

Roughly 166 frost-free days gives Creston 2 SW gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after Apr 28; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 11 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Creston 2 SW, IA?

The average last spring frost in Creston 2 SW is around Apr 28, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Creston 2 SW, IA?

The average first fall frost in Creston 2 SW arrives around Oct 11. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Creston 2 SW?

About 166 frost-free days on average, from Apr 28 to Oct 11. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Creston 2 SW in?

USDA zone 5b on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.