Waterloo Municipal Airport, IA Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Waterloo Municipal Airport garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Apr 27
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 10
~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 11 Apr 27 May 10
First fall frost Oct 21 Oct 10 Sep 26
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Apr 16 · first Oct 20

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the WATERLOO MUNI AP 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 Waterloo Municipal Airport

Computed from Waterloo Municipal Airport'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 2 – Mar 16 May 4 – May 11
🫑 Peppers Feb 16 – Mar 2 May 11 – May 18
🥬 Lettuce Mar 16 – Mar 30 Mar 30 – Apr 13 Mar 30 – Apr 27
🫛 Peas Mar 16 – Mar 30
🥕 Carrots Apr 6 – Apr 27
🥦 Broccoli Mar 9 – Mar 23 Apr 6 – Apr 20
🥬 Kale Mar 16 – Mar 30 Mar 30 – Apr 13 Mar 30 – Apr 13
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 30 – Apr 6 May 4 – May 11 May 4 – May 11
🥒 Zucchini Mar 30 – Apr 6 May 4 – May 11 May 4 – May 11
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) May 4 – May 11
🌽 Sweet Corn May 4 – May 11
🌿 Basil Mar 16 – Mar 30 May 4 – May 11 May 11 – May 18
🧄 Garlic Fall: Aug 29 – Sep 26

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 Waterloo Municipal Airport's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Waterloo Municipal Airport

Roughly 166 frost-free days gives Waterloo Municipal Airport gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after Apr 27; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 10 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Waterloo Municipal Airport, IA?

The average last spring frost in Waterloo Municipal Airport is around Apr 27, 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 Waterloo Municipal Airport, IA?

The average first fall frost in Waterloo Municipal Airport arrives around Oct 10. 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 Waterloo Municipal Airport?

About 166 frost-free days on average, from Apr 27 to Oct 10. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Waterloo Municipal Airport 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.