When to plant in Clinton, IA
USDA Zone 5bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Clinton, Iowa — all computed from Clinton's nearest NOAA weather station.
In zone 5b, Clinton gardeners can grow many hardy perennials, while the last and first frost still dictate the annual vegetable calendar.
The average first fall frost in Clinton is now 5 days later than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
CLINTON #1 · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Clinton’s own odds, recorded at CLINTON #1.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 17 | May 2 | Apr 18 | Sep 23 | Oct 6 | Oct 18 |
| 32°F | May 8 | Apr 22 | Apr 9 | Oct 2 | Oct 16 | Oct 28 |
| 28°F | Apr 29 | Apr 13 | Mar 31 | Oct 11 | Oct 25 | Nov 5 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Clinton, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 23 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Clinton planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Clinton, IA?
Plan for the last spring frost in Clinton around April 22 (the date it has a 50% chance of a 32°F freeze). Anything frost-sensitive should go out after it.
When is the first fall frost in Clinton, IA?
The first fall frost in Clinton typically arrives around October 16 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Clinton in?
Clinton is in USDA hardiness zone 5b. In zone 5b, winters are cold — pick cold-hardy varieties and protect tender crops.
How long is the growing season in Clinton?
Clinton has about 177 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 22) and first fall frost (October 16).
When should I plant tomatoes in Clinton?
For Clinton, sow tomatoes indoors about February 25–March 11 and move the seedlings out around April 29, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Clinton
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Clinton’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Bettendorf · 36 km
- East Moline · 38 km
- Davenport · 44 km
- Moline · 45 km
- Sterling · 46 km
- Rock Island · 50 km
- Dixon · 63 km
- Freeport · 71 km
Frost dates recorded at CLINTON #1, 6 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Clinton, IA — Frost Dates & Zone 5b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00131635. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/iowa/clinton.