When is the last frost in Cedar Falls, IA?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Cedar Falls is around April 27, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Waterloo Muni Ap, IA station (4.6 mi away). Half of years it falls outside that date, so wait 1–2 weeks past it before setting out frost-tender plants.

When is the first fall frost in Cedar Falls?

The average first fall frost in Cedar Falls, IA is around October 10, giving roughly a 165-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Cedar Falls, IA?

Cedar Falls is in USDA plant hardiness zone 5a (average annual extreme minimum temperature -20 to -15°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Cedar Falls?

In Cedar Falls, IA the warmest month is July (avg high 85°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 10.7°F). It averages about 36.3″ of precipitation a year and 39.1″ of snow.

Home › Iowa › Cedar Falls

Cedar Falls, IA Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 5a · ZIP 50613 · elevation 265′ · NOAA & USDA data

Cedar Falls is in USDA hardiness zone 5a (winters can dip to -20 to -15°F), with a growing season of about 165 days between the average last spring frost (April 27) and first fall frost (October 10). The warmest month is July (avg high 85°F); the coldest is January (avg low 10.7°F). It averages 36.3″ of precipitation a year and 39.1″ of snow, mostly mid-winter. Start cool-season crops several weeks before the last frost; wait until after it for tomatoes, peppers and other tender crops.

Hardiness zone

min temp -20 to -15°F

Last spring frost

April 27

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

October 10

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

165 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 85°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Cedar Falls

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Waterloo Muni Ap, IA (4.6 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	28.2	10.7	19.4	1.1	10.1
February	32.6	15.2	23.9	1.1	9.3
March	46.5	26.9	36.7	2	4.6
April	60.9	37.9	49.4	4	1.7
May	72.8	50.2	61.5	4.6	0.1
June	82.2	60.8	71.5	5.7	0
July	85	64	74.5	4.3	0
August	82.9	61	71.9	4.2	0
September	76.8	52.4	64.6	3.1	0
October	63	40.2	51.6	2.8	0.3
November	47.1	27.7	37.4	1.9	3.1
December	33.7	17	25.3	1.4	9.9

What to plant when in Cedar Falls

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: March 16 · Transplant out: May 4
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: March 2 · Transplant out: May 11
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: May 4
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: May 4
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: May 4
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: May 4
Basil	warm	Transplant out: May 4
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): March 23 · Sow (fall): August 15
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): March 16 · Sow (fall): August 15
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): March 30 · Sow (fall): August 15
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): April 6 · Sow (fall): August 1
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): April 13
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): April 6 · Sow (fall): August 1
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): March 30
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: April 13
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): March 30 · Sow (fall): August 29

Dates are computed from Cedar Falls's average frost dates using standard cool-/warm-season timing. They're a starting point — a cold spring, a warm microclimate, or a fast-maturing variety can shift them by a week or two.

Want the exact dates for your yard? →
Look up your precise ZIP-code frost dates and a full 26-crop planting calendar on our free interactive tool.
Open the frost & planting tool

🌾 Get a frost reminder

One email in early spring and early fall with the dates for your area. No spam.

Gear that helps you plant on time

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links (tag theboringthin-20). If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps this almanac free. We only list generic, genuinely-useful categories.

Soil thermometer →Know when the ground is warm enough to sow — the honest signal, not the calendar.Seed-starting trays + dome →Start tomatoes & peppers indoors on the schedule below.Seedling heat mat →Warms the soil for faster, more even germination indoors.Floating row cover / frost cloth →Buys you 4–8°F to beat an early or late frost.Raised garden bed kit →Warms and drains faster in spring than in-ground soil.Garden gloves →Basic kit for transplant day.

Nearby cities in Iowa

Waterloo, IA Cedar Rapids, IA Ames, IA Ankeny, IA Iowa City, IA Des Moines, IA Urbandale, IA Dubuque, IA

Sources & method. Hardiness zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). Frost dates & growing season: NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest station with published freeze normals — Waterloo Muni Ap, IA, 4.6 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Waterloo Muni Ap, IA, 4.6 mi (confidence: high). ZIP centroid from U.S. Census 2023 ZCTA data. Frost dates are the 50%-probability date — half of years frost occurs outside the stated date. Nothing here is invented; where the nearest station is far, we say so. Last updated 2026-07-22.