When to plant in Fort Dodge, IA
USDA Zone 5aFort Dodge, Iowa frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
Zone 5a means Fort Dodge sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
Frost probability
FT DODGE 5NNW · 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 Fort Dodge’s own odds, recorded at FT DODGE 5NNW.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 17 | May 6 | Apr 24 | Sep 17 | Sep 30 | Oct 12 |
| 32°F | May 9 | Apr 28 | Apr 13 | Sep 24 | Oct 8 | Oct 22 |
| 28°F | May 1 | Apr 17 | Apr 4 | Oct 3 | Oct 19 | Nov 1 |
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 Fort Dodge, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 24 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.
Fort Dodge planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Fort Dodge, IA?
Fort Dodge's average last spring frost falls near April 28 — the 50% mark at 32°F in the 1991–2020 normals. Hold tender transplants until the risk has passed, then plant out.
When is the first fall frost in Fort Dodge, IA?
The first fall frost in Fort Dodge typically arrives around October 8 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Fort Dodge in?
Fort Dodge is in USDA hardiness zone 5a. In zone 5a, winters are cold — pick cold-hardy varieties and protect tender crops.
How long is the growing season in Fort Dodge?
There are roughly 163 frost-free days in Fort Dodge (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 28 to the first fall frost near October 8.
When should I plant tomatoes in Fort Dodge?
In Fort Dodge, start tomato seeds indoors around March 3–March 17, then transplant seedlings outdoors around May 5 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Fort Dodge
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Fort Dodge’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reachFrost dates recorded at FT DODGE 5NNW, 8 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 Fort Dodge, IA — Frost Dates & Zone 5a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00132999. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/iowa/fort-dodge.