When could we have our last frost?

image from Wikimedia 

      ​Question: What is that which was tomorrow, and will be yesterday?
Another cold morning.  27 was our low this morning.  Frost on the vehicles.  Now at 8:00 AM only 30 degrees.  High today of 47 with a mix of sun and clouds.  Cold again tonight at 27 but looks like that will be it for the 10 days.  Farmers will be out in the field working on planting.  Spring is here.  Stay warm, stay safe.
       The Farmer’s Almanac says our last frost date for Mason City Iowa is May 6th.  BUT do you remember last you we had a severe freeze on May 14th.  Most of the 32 years of doing this, that date has been our last freeze.  So be thinking of that when you plant.  I will be open Friday April 23rd and we are working hard to have things ready for you.  Perennials and trees, shrubs will be here next week.  Always new things every week. 
WHAT ARE FROST DATES?
A frost date is the average date of the last light freeze in spring or the first light freeze in fall.
The classification of freeze temperatures is based on their effect on plants:
Light freeze: 29° to 32°F (1.7° to 0°C)—tender plants are killed.
Moderate freeze: 25° to 28°F (3.9° to -2.2°C)—widely destructive to most vegetation.
Severe freeze: 24°F (-4.4°C) and colder—heavy damage to most garden plants.
Note that frost dates are only an estimate based on historical climate data and are not set in stone. The probability of a frost occurring after the spring frost date or before the fall frost date is 30%, which means that there is still a chance of frost occurring before or after the given dates!
Frost is predicted when air temperatures reach 32°F (0°C), but because it is colder closer to the ground, a frost may occur even when air temperatures are just above freezing. Always keep an eye on your local weather forecast and plan to protect tender plants accordingly. Weather, topography, and microclimates may also cause considerable variations in the occurrence of frost in your garden.
Taken from https://www.almanac.com/gardening/frostdates
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse Dougherty Iowa beckmall@netins.net  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365
 
Answer: Today