When is the last frost in Council Bluffs, IA?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Council Bluffs is around April 18, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Omaha Eppley Airfield, NE station (5.8 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 Council Bluffs?

The average first fall frost in Council Bluffs, IA is around October 21, giving roughly a 185-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Council Bluffs, IA?

Council Bluffs is in USDA plant hardiness zone 5b (average annual extreme minimum temperature -15 to -10°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Council Bluffs?

In Council Bluffs, IA the warmest month is July (avg high 88.1°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 15.2°F). It averages about 31.9″ of precipitation a year and 27.1″ of snow.

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Council Bluffs, IA Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 5b · ZIP 51501 · elevation 299′ · NOAA & USDA data

Council Bluffs is in USDA hardiness zone 5b (winters can dip to -15 to -10°F), with a growing season of about 185 days between the average last spring frost (April 18) and first fall frost (October 21). The warmest month is July (avg high 88.1°F); the coldest is January (avg low 15.2°F). It averages 31.9″ of precipitation a year and 27.1″ 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 -15 to -10°F

Last spring frost

April 18

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

October 21

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

185 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 88.1°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Council Bluffs

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Omaha Eppley Airfield, NE (5.8 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	33.6	15.2	24.4	0.8	7.2
February	38.6	19.3	28.9	1	7.8
March	52.1	30	41	1.8	3
April	64.1	41.1	52.6	3.2	1
May	74.6	52.7	63.6	4.7	0.1
June	84.4	63.4	73.9	4.4	0
July	88.1	68	78.1	3.6	0
August	85.8	65.6	75.7	4.6	0
September	79.1	56.1	67.6	3	0
October	65.5	43.2	54.4	2.3	0.5
November	50.3	30.2	40.2	1.5	1.7
December	37.7	19.8	28.7	1.2	5.8

What to plant when in Council Bluffs

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: March 7 · Transplant out: April 25
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 21 · Transplant out: May 2
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: April 25
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: April 25
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: April 25
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: April 25
Basil	warm	Transplant out: April 25
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): March 14 · Sow (fall): August 26
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): March 7 · Sow (fall): August 26
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): March 21 · Sow (fall): August 26
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): March 28 · Sow (fall): August 12
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): April 4
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): March 28 · Sow (fall): August 12
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): March 21
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: April 4
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): March 21 · Sow (fall): September 9

Dates are computed from Council Bluffs'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.

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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

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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 — Omaha Eppley Airfield, NE, 5.8 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Omaha Eppley Airfield, NE, 5.8 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.