When to plant in Clive, IA
USDA Zone 5bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Clive, Iowa — all computed from Clive's nearest NOAA weather station.
Heads up: the nearest complete-normals station is about 15 km from Clive, so your yard's frost dates can differ — a low spot or a paved city center can shift them by a week. In zone 5b, Clive gardeners can grow many hardy perennials, while the last and first frost still dictate the annual vegetable calendar.
Frost probability
DES MOINES INTL AP · 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 Clive’s own odds, recorded at DES MOINES INTL AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 10 | Apr 29 | Apr 15 | Sep 25 | Oct 9 | Oct 22 |
| 32°F | May 2 | Apr 18 | Apr 4 | Oct 4 | Oct 20 | Nov 1 |
| 28°F | Apr 22 | Apr 8 | Mar 25 | Oct 16 | Oct 30 | Nov 11 |
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 Clive, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 18 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.
Clive planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Clive, IA?
On average, the last spring frost in Clive is around April 18 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Clive, IA?
The first fall frost in Clive typically arrives around October 20 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Clive in?
Clive 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 Clive?
Clive has about 185 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 18) and first fall frost (October 20).
When should I plant tomatoes in Clive?
For Clive, sow tomatoes indoors about February 21–March 7 and move the seedlings out around April 25, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Clive
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Clive’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Urbandale · 3 km
- Grimes · 7 km
- West Des Moines · 7 km
- Waukee · 7 km
- Johnston · 11 km
- Des Moines · 16 km
- Norwalk · 17 km
- Ankeny · 21 km
Frost dates recorded at DES MOINES INTL AP, 15 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 Clive, IA — Frost Dates & Zone 5b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00014933. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/iowa/clive.