After experiencing summerlike temperatures earlier in October, Iowa could see its first widespread frost of the fall season this week.
The National Weather Service notes that temperatures could fall to the freezing mark on Wednesday night, Oct. 22, into Thursday morning, Oct. 23, 2025.
Some parts of the state may experience a light frost, but a freeze — when temperatures dip below 32 degrees — is more damaging to plants.
While Iowa has seen early frosts in September, during the past two years much of the state escaped a killing freeze until the end of October. The same could be true this year, as forecasts are borderline on hitting the freezing mark and warmer temperatures are expected to return this weekend.
With that in mind, gardeners who would like to safeguard their tender plants, such as tomatoes and peppers, or less hardy flowers, can cover them with a light sheet overnight and remove it during the day.
For a more sure bet, harvest the last of those crops, along with cucumbers and melons that are susceptible to cold temperatures. Green tomatoes will ripen indoors if kept unrefrigerated.
Plants in containers can be moved into a garage or porch where they will be protected, and returned outdoors once the chance for frost has passed.
Tender perennials that are not cold-hardy in Iowa, such as cannas, need to be dug and stored indoors during the winter. Dig the canna rhizomes shortly after a hard, or killing freeze, allow to dry for a day or two and store in a box or mesh bag in a cool, dry location, such as a basement.
Vegetables such as kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kohlrabi and cabbage are cold-hardy and can withstand a frost, and last later into the season in Iowa.
The state experienced an anomaly this year with an Iowa gardening mainstay. Learn why lilacs are blooming out of season.
No Comments Yet