Charlotte, IA 52731 Frost Dates
When can you plant in Charlotte, IA?
The last spring frost here typically falls around 04/25, about 240 days from today. The first fall frost typically arrives around 10/14, about 171 frost-free days later.
The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map puts Charlotte in Zone 5a (-20 to -15°F average annual minimum); frost dates are NOAA's 1991-2020 station normal, not this year's forecast.
What to do before the first frost
About 7 weeks of growing season left in Charlotte before the first fall frost — a cold frame or row cover can stretch harvest weeks past that date.
How much risk comes with planting early here
04/25 is the middle of 30 years of NOAA records, not a promise. Plant by 04/11 and you're betting against frost in roughly 9 years out of 10. 05/09 is the safer bet, historically only a 1-in-10 chance of frost that late.
How Charlotte compares
Charlotte's growing season runs about 171 days, ranking 28,797 of 40,283 US ZIP codes measured here, longest to shortest. Within IA, it ranks 288 of 1,042.
Learn more
zone vs. frost date covers why Zone 5a and Charlotte's frost date answer different questions. the frost range covers how to read the range around Charlotte's dates instead of trusting one.