Iowa City, IA planting calendar
When to plant vegetables in Iowa City, IA (USDA hardiness zone 5b). Typical last spring frost around Apr 21, 2027 (±12 days year to year), first fall frost around Oct 18, 2027 (±11 days).
Playing it safe? Spring frost holds off until about May 6, 2027 in roughly 9 years out of 10 — a good target for tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
These dates are typical for the whole city. Enter your ZIP for frost dates from the station nearest you:
Month by month in Iowa City, IA
January
- Start seeds indoors: Artichoke
- Start seeds indoors: Bunching Onion
- Start seeds indoors: Celeriac
- Start seeds indoors: Celery
- Start seeds indoors: Chinese Celery
- Start seeds indoors: Leek
- Start seeds indoors: Onion
- Start seeds indoors: Shallot
February
- Start seeds indoors: Agastache
- Start seeds indoors: Alpine Strawberry
- Start seeds indoors: Angelica
- Start seeds indoors: Arugula
- Start seeds indoors: Bee Balm
- Start seeds indoors: Bishop's Flower
- Start seeds indoors: Bok Choy
- Start seeds indoors: Broccoli
- Start seeds indoors: Broccoli Raab
- Start seeds indoors: Brussels Sprouts
- Start seeds indoors: Cabbage
- Start seeds indoors: Cardoon
- Start seeds indoors: Catnip
- Start seeds indoors: Cauliflower
- Start seeds indoors: Chinese Broccoli
- Start seeds indoors: Chinese Cabbage
- Start seeds indoors: Chive
- Start seeds indoors: Clasping Coneflower
- Start seeds indoors: Collard
- Start seeds indoors: Creeping Thyme
- Start seeds indoors: Echinacea
- Start seeds indoors: Evening Primrose
- Start seeds indoors: Garlic Chives
- Start seeds indoors: Hamburg Parsley
- Start seeds indoors: Horehound
- Start seeds indoors: Hybrid Coneflower
- Start seeds indoors: Hyssop
- Start seeds indoors: Japanese Mugwort
- Start seeds indoors: Kale
- Start seeds indoors: Kohlrabi
- Start seeds indoors: Lavender
- Start seeds indoors: Lemon Balm
- Start seeds indoors: Lemon Mint
- Start seeds indoors: Lovage
- Start seeds indoors: Oregano
- Start seeds indoors: Parsley
- Start seeds indoors: Pennyroyal Mint
- Start seeds indoors: Pepper (Habanero)
- Start seeds indoors: Pepper (Sweet & Hot)
- Start seeds indoors: Roman Chamomile
- Start seeds indoors: Romanesco Broccoli
- Start seeds indoors: Rue
- Start seeds indoors: Russian Kale
- Start seeds indoors: Russian Sage
- Start seeds indoors: Sage
- Start seeds indoors: Salad Burnet
- Start seeds indoors: Savory
- Start seeds indoors: Sheep Sorrel
- Start seeds indoors: Siberian Kale
- Start seeds indoors: Soapwort
- Start seeds indoors: Sweet Woodruff
- Start seeds indoors: Tansy
- Start seeds indoors: Tarragon
- Start seeds indoors: Tat Soi
- Start seeds indoors: Thyme
- Start seeds indoors: Veined Catmint
- Start seeds indoors: Wormwood
March
- Start seeds indoors: Achillea
- Start seeds indoors: Aji Pepper
- Start seeds indoors: Burdock
- Start seeds indoors: Calendula
- Start seeds indoors: Cape Gooseberry
- Start seeds indoors: Celtuce / Stem Lettuce
- Start seeds indoors: Chamomile
- Start seeds indoors: Chicory
- Start seeds indoors: Chiltepin Pepper
- Start seeds indoors: Chrysanthemum Greens
- Start seeds indoors: Dandelion
- Start seeds indoors: Eggplant
- Start seeds indoors: Endive
- Start seeds indoors: Ethiopian Eggplant
- Start seeds indoors: Ethiopian Kale
- Start seeds indoors: Feverfew
- Start seeds indoors: Ground Cherry
- Start seeds indoors: Huauzontle
- Start seeds indoors: Komatsuna Mustard
- Start seeds indoors: Korean Mint
- Start seeds indoors: Lettuce
- Start seeds indoors: Malabar Spinach
- Start seeds indoors: Marjoram
- Start seeds indoors: Mexican Tarragon
- Start seeds indoors: Mibuna
- Start seeds indoors: Misome
- Start seeds indoors: Mitsuba
- Start seeds indoors: Mizuna
- Start seeds indoors: Orach
- Start seeds indoors: Paracress
- Start seeds indoors: Pepper (Hot)
- Start seeds indoors: Pepper (Tabasco)
- Start seeds indoors: Purple Yu Choy Sum
- Start seeds indoors: Radicchio
- Start seeds indoors: Roselle
- Start seeds indoors: Stevia
- Start seeds indoors: Strawberry Spinach
- Start seeds indoors: Sweet Annie
- Start seeds indoors: Tomatillo
- Start seeds indoors: Tomato
- Start seeds indoors: Vietnamese Culantro
- Start seeds indoors: Water Pepper
- Start seeds indoors: Yarrow
- Start seeds indoors: Yu Choy Sum
- Start hardening off: Arugula
- Start hardening off: Bok Choy
- Start hardening off: Broccoli
- Start hardening off: Broccoli Raab
- Start hardening off: Brussels Sprouts
- Start hardening off: Bunching Onion
- Start hardening off: Cabbage
- Start hardening off: Cauliflower
- Start hardening off: Chinese Broccoli
- Start hardening off: Chinese Cabbage
- Start hardening off: Collard
- Start hardening off: Kale
- Start hardening off: Kohlrabi
- Start hardening off: Onion
- Start hardening off: Romanesco Broccoli
- Start hardening off: Russian Kale
- Start hardening off: Shallot
- Start hardening off: Siberian Kale
- Start hardening off: Tat Soi
- Direct sow outdoors: Arugula
- Direct sow outdoors: Corn Salad
- Direct sow outdoors: Fava Bean
- Direct sow outdoors: Miner's Lettuce
- Direct sow outdoors: New Zealand Spinach
- Direct sow outdoors: Spinach
- Transplant outdoors: Arugula
- Transplant outdoors: Siberian Kale
April
- Start seeds indoors: Amaranth
- Start seeds indoors: Amaranthus
- Start seeds indoors: Armenian Cucumber
- Start seeds indoors: Basil
- Start seeds indoors: Black Cumin / Nigella
- Start seeds indoors: Chinese Toon
- Start seeds indoors: Cucamelon
- Start seeds indoors: Cucumber
- Start seeds indoors: Epazote
- Start seeds indoors: Gourd (Angled Luffa)
- Start seeds indoors: Gourd (Bitter)
- Start seeds indoors: Gourd (Bottle)
- Start seeds indoors: Gourd (Luffa)
- Start seeds indoors: Gourd (Ornamental)
- Start seeds indoors: Gourd (Turban)
- Start seeds indoors: Gourd (Wax)
- Start seeds indoors: Grain Amaranth
- Start seeds indoors: Holy Basil
- Start seeds indoors: Korean Summer Squash
- Start seeds indoors: Lemon Basil
- Start seeds indoors: Lime Basil
- Start seeds indoors: Melon
- Start seeds indoors: Melon (Pickling)
- Start seeds indoors: Nasturtium
- Start seeds indoors: Okra
- Start seeds indoors: Pumpkin
- Start seeds indoors: Pumpkin (Maxima)
- Start seeds indoors: Pumpkin (Moschata)
- Start seeds indoors: Shiso
- Start seeds indoors: Summer Savory
- Start seeds indoors: Summer Squash
- Start seeds indoors: Thai Basil
- Start seeds indoors: Watermelon
- Start seeds indoors: West Indian Gherkin
- Start seeds indoors: Wild Arugula
- Start seeds indoors: Winged Bean
- Start seeds indoors: Winter Squash (Acorn)
- Start seeds indoors: Winter Squash (Banana)
- Start seeds indoors: Winter Squash (Buttercup)
- Start seeds indoors: Winter Squash (Butternut)
- Start seeds indoors: Winter Squash (Cushaw)
- Start seeds indoors: Winter Squash (Delicata)
- Start seeds indoors: Winter Squash (Hubbard)
- Start seeds indoors: Winter Squash (Spaghetti)
- Start hardening off: Achillea
- Start hardening off: Agastache
- Start hardening off: Aji Pepper
- Start hardening off: Angelica
- Start hardening off: Armenian Cucumber
- Start hardening off: Artichoke
- Start hardening off: Basil
- Start hardening off: Bee Balm
- Start hardening off: Bishop's Flower
- Start hardening off: Burdock
- Start hardening off: Calendula
- Start hardening off: Cardoon
- Start hardening off: Catnip
- Start hardening off: Celeriac
- Start hardening off: Celery
- Start hardening off: Celtuce / Stem Lettuce
- Start hardening off: Chamomile
- Start hardening off: Chicory
- Start hardening off: Chinese Celery
- Start hardening off: Chive
- Start hardening off: Chrysanthemum Greens
- Start hardening off: Clasping Coneflower
- Start hardening off: Creeping Thyme
- Start hardening off: Dandelion
- Start hardening off: Echinacea
- Start hardening off: Endive
- Start hardening off: Ethiopian Kale
- Start hardening off: Evening Primrose
- Start hardening off: Feverfew
- Start hardening off: Garlic Chives
- Start hardening off: Ground Cherry
- Start hardening off: Hamburg Parsley
- Start hardening off: Holy Basil
- Start hardening off: Horehound
- Start hardening off: Huauzontle
- Start hardening off: Hybrid Coneflower
- Start hardening off: Hyssop
- Start hardening off: Japanese Mugwort
- Start hardening off: Komatsuna Mustard
- Start hardening off: Lavender
- Start hardening off: Leek
- Start hardening off: Lemon Balm
- Start hardening off: Lemon Basil
- Start hardening off: Lemon Mint
- Start hardening off: Lettuce
- Start hardening off: Lime Basil
- Start hardening off: Lovage
- Start hardening off: Marjoram
- Start hardening off: Mexican Tarragon
- Start hardening off: Mibuna
- Start hardening off: Misome
- Start hardening off: Mitsuba
- Start hardening off: Mizuna
- Start hardening off: Nasturtium
- Start hardening off: Orach
- Start hardening off: Oregano
- Start hardening off: Paracress
- Start hardening off: Parsley
- Start hardening off: Pennyroyal Mint
- Start hardening off: Purple Yu Choy Sum
- Start hardening off: Radicchio
- Start hardening off: Roman Chamomile
- Start hardening off: Rue
- Start hardening off: Russian Sage
- Start hardening off: Sage
- Start hardening off: Salad Burnet
- Start hardening off: Savory
- Start hardening off: Sheep Sorrel
- Start hardening off: Soapwort
- Start hardening off: Stevia
- Start hardening off: Strawberry Spinach
- Start hardening off: Sweet Annie
- Start hardening off: Sweet Woodruff
- Start hardening off: Tansy
- Start hardening off: Tarragon
- Start hardening off: Thai Basil
- Start hardening off: Thyme
- Start hardening off: Tomatillo
- Start hardening off: Tomato
- Start hardening off: Veined Catmint
- Start hardening off: Vietnamese Culantro
- Start hardening off: Water Pepper
- Start hardening off: Watermelon
- Start hardening off: Wild Arugula
- Start hardening off: Wormwood
- Start hardening off: Yarrow
- Start hardening off: Yu Choy Sum
- Direct sow outdoors: Asian Greens
- Direct sow outdoors: Beet
- Direct sow outdoors: Black Salsify
- Direct sow outdoors: Borage
- Direct sow outdoors: Bronze Fennel
- Direct sow outdoors: Caraway
- Direct sow outdoors: Carrot
- Direct sow outdoors: Catmint
- Direct sow outdoors: Chervil
- Direct sow outdoors: Cilantro
- Direct sow outdoors: Cress
- Direct sow outdoors: Daikon Radish
- Direct sow outdoors: Dill
- Direct sow outdoors: Fennel
- Direct sow outdoors: Leaf Radish
- Direct sow outdoors: Mugwort
- Direct sow outdoors: Mustard
- Direct sow outdoors: Parsnip
- Direct sow outdoors: Pea
- Direct sow outdoors: Peppermint
- Direct sow outdoors: Radish
- Direct sow outdoors: Red-Veined Sorrel
- Direct sow outdoors: Rosemary
- Direct sow outdoors: Rutabaga
- Direct sow outdoors: Salsify
- Direct sow outdoors: Shell Pea
- Direct sow outdoors: Snap Pea
- Direct sow outdoors: Snow Pea
- Direct sow outdoors: Sorrel
- Direct sow outdoors: Spearmint
- Direct sow outdoors: Strawberry
- Direct sow outdoors: Swiss Chard
- Direct sow outdoors: Turnip
- Direct sow outdoors: Watercress
- Transplant outdoors: Achillea
- Transplant outdoors: Agastache
- Transplant outdoors: Angelica
- Transplant outdoors: Artichoke
- Transplant outdoors: Bee Balm
- Transplant outdoors: Bishop's Flower
- Transplant outdoors: Bok Choy
- Transplant outdoors: Broccoli
- Transplant outdoors: Broccoli Raab
- Transplant outdoors: Brussels Sprouts
- Transplant outdoors: Bunching Onion
- Transplant outdoors: Burdock
- Transplant outdoors: Cabbage
- Transplant outdoors: Calendula
- Transplant outdoors: Cardoon
- Transplant outdoors: Catnip
- Transplant outdoors: Cauliflower
- Transplant outdoors: Celeriac
- Transplant outdoors: Celery
- Transplant outdoors: Celtuce / Stem Lettuce
- Transplant outdoors: Chicory
- Transplant outdoors: Chinese Broccoli
- Transplant outdoors: Chinese Cabbage
- Transplant outdoors: Chinese Celery
- Transplant outdoors: Chive
- Transplant outdoors: Chrysanthemum Greens
- Transplant outdoors: Clasping Coneflower
- Transplant outdoors: Collard
- Transplant outdoors: Dandelion
- Transplant outdoors: Echinacea
- Transplant outdoors: Endive
- Transplant outdoors: Ethiopian Kale
- Transplant outdoors: Evening Primrose
- Transplant outdoors: Garlic Chives
- Transplant outdoors: Hamburg Parsley
- Transplant outdoors: Horehound
- Transplant outdoors: Huauzontle
- Transplant outdoors: Hyssop
- Transplant outdoors: Kale
- Transplant outdoors: Kohlrabi
- Transplant outdoors: Komatsuna Mustard
- Transplant outdoors: Leek
- Transplant outdoors: Lemon Balm
- Transplant outdoors: Lemon Mint
- Transplant outdoors: Lettuce
- Transplant outdoors: Lovage
- Transplant outdoors: Mibuna
- Transplant outdoors: Misome
- Transplant outdoors: Mitsuba
- Transplant outdoors: Mizuna
- Transplant outdoors: Onion
- Transplant outdoors: Orach
- Transplant outdoors: Parsley
- Transplant outdoors: Purple Yu Choy Sum
- Transplant outdoors: Radicchio
- Transplant outdoors: Roman Chamomile
- Transplant outdoors: Romanesco Broccoli
- Transplant outdoors: Rue
- Transplant outdoors: Russian Kale
- Transplant outdoors: Sage
- Transplant outdoors: Salad Burnet
- Transplant outdoors: Shallot
- Transplant outdoors: Sheep Sorrel
- Transplant outdoors: Soapwort
- Transplant outdoors: Strawberry Spinach
- Transplant outdoors: Sweet Woodruff
- Transplant outdoors: Tansy
- Transplant outdoors: Tarragon
- Transplant outdoors: Tat Soi
- Transplant outdoors: Thyme
- Transplant outdoors: Veined Catmint
- Transplant outdoors: Wormwood
- Transplant outdoors: Yu Choy Sum
- Plant outdoors: Asparagus
- Plant outdoors: Blueberry
- Plant outdoors: Horseradish
- Plant outdoors: Jerusalem Artichoke
- Plant outdoors: Potato
- Plant outdoors: Rhubarb
May
- Start hardening off: Alpine Strawberry
- Start hardening off: Amaranth
- Start hardening off: Amaranthus
- Start hardening off: Black Cumin / Nigella
- Start hardening off: Cape Gooseberry
- Start hardening off: Chiltepin Pepper
- Start hardening off: Chinese Toon
- Start hardening off: Cucamelon
- Start hardening off: Cucumber
- Start hardening off: Eggplant
- Start hardening off: Epazote
- Start hardening off: Ethiopian Eggplant
- Start hardening off: Gourd (Angled Luffa)
- Start hardening off: Gourd (Bitter)
- Start hardening off: Gourd (Bottle)
- Start hardening off: Gourd (Luffa)
- Start hardening off: Gourd (Ornamental)
- Start hardening off: Gourd (Turban)
- Start hardening off: Gourd (Wax)
- Start hardening off: Grain Amaranth
- Start hardening off: Korean Mint
- Start hardening off: Korean Summer Squash
- Start hardening off: Malabar Spinach
- Start hardening off: Melon
- Start hardening off: Melon (Pickling)
- Start hardening off: Okra
- Start hardening off: Pepper (Habanero)
- Start hardening off: Pepper (Hot)
- Start hardening off: Pepper (Sweet & Hot)
- Start hardening off: Pepper (Tabasco)
- Start hardening off: Pumpkin
- Start hardening off: Pumpkin (Maxima)
- Start hardening off: Pumpkin (Moschata)
- Start hardening off: Roselle
- Start hardening off: Shiso
- Start hardening off: Summer Savory
- Start hardening off: Summer Squash
- Start hardening off: West Indian Gherkin
- Start hardening off: Winged Bean
- Start hardening off: Winter Squash (Acorn)
- Start hardening off: Winter Squash (Banana)
- Start hardening off: Winter Squash (Buttercup)
- Start hardening off: Winter Squash (Butternut)
- Start hardening off: Winter Squash (Cushaw)
- Start hardening off: Winter Squash (Delicata)
- Start hardening off: Winter Squash (Hubbard)
- Start hardening off: Winter Squash (Spaghetti)
- Direct sow outdoors: Anise
- Direct sow outdoors: Bean
- Direct sow outdoors: Corn
- Direct sow outdoors: Cumin
- Direct sow outdoors: Fenugreek
- Direct sow outdoors: Lemongrass
- Direct sow outdoors: Lima Bean
- Direct sow outdoors: Oregano (Greek)
- Direct sow outdoors: Purslane
- Direct sow outdoors: Runner Bean
- Direct sow outdoors: Soy Bean
- Direct sow outdoors: Yardlong Bean
- Transplant outdoors: Aji Pepper
- Transplant outdoors: Alpine Strawberry
- Transplant outdoors: Amaranth
- Transplant outdoors: Amaranthus
- Transplant outdoors: Armenian Cucumber
- Transplant outdoors: Basil
- Transplant outdoors: Black Cumin / Nigella
- Transplant outdoors: Cape Gooseberry
- Transplant outdoors: Chamomile
- Transplant outdoors: Chiltepin Pepper
- Transplant outdoors: Chinese Toon
- Transplant outdoors: Creeping Thyme
- Transplant outdoors: Cucamelon
- Transplant outdoors: Cucumber
- Transplant outdoors: Eggplant
- Transplant outdoors: Epazote
- Transplant outdoors: Ethiopian Eggplant
- Transplant outdoors: Feverfew
- Transplant outdoors: Gourd (Angled Luffa)
- Transplant outdoors: Gourd (Bitter)
- Transplant outdoors: Gourd (Bottle)
- Transplant outdoors: Gourd (Luffa)
- Transplant outdoors: Gourd (Ornamental)
- Transplant outdoors: Gourd (Turban)
- Transplant outdoors: Gourd (Wax)
- Transplant outdoors: Grain Amaranth
- Transplant outdoors: Ground Cherry
- Transplant outdoors: Holy Basil
- Transplant outdoors: Hybrid Coneflower
- Transplant outdoors: Japanese Mugwort
- Transplant outdoors: Korean Mint
- Transplant outdoors: Korean Summer Squash
- Transplant outdoors: Lavender
- Transplant outdoors: Lemon Basil
- Transplant outdoors: Lime Basil
- Transplant outdoors: Malabar Spinach
- Transplant outdoors: Marjoram
- Transplant outdoors: Melon
- Transplant outdoors: Melon (Pickling)
- Transplant outdoors: Mexican Tarragon
- Transplant outdoors: Nasturtium
- Transplant outdoors: Okra
- Transplant outdoors: Oregano
- Transplant outdoors: Paracress
- Transplant outdoors: Pennyroyal Mint
- Transplant outdoors: Pepper (Habanero)
- Transplant outdoors: Pepper (Hot)
- Transplant outdoors: Pepper (Sweet & Hot)
- Transplant outdoors: Pepper (Tabasco)
- Transplant outdoors: Pumpkin
- Transplant outdoors: Pumpkin (Maxima)
- Transplant outdoors: Pumpkin (Moschata)
- Transplant outdoors: Roselle
- Transplant outdoors: Russian Sage
- Transplant outdoors: Savory
- Transplant outdoors: Shiso
- Transplant outdoors: Stevia
- Transplant outdoors: Summer Savory
- Transplant outdoors: Summer Squash
- Transplant outdoors: Sweet Annie
- Transplant outdoors: Thai Basil
- Transplant outdoors: Tomatillo
- Transplant outdoors: Tomato
- Transplant outdoors: Vietnamese Culantro
- Transplant outdoors: Water Pepper
- Transplant outdoors: Watermelon
- Transplant outdoors: West Indian Gherkin
- Transplant outdoors: Wild Arugula
- Transplant outdoors: Winged Bean
- Transplant outdoors: Winter Squash (Acorn)
- Transplant outdoors: Winter Squash (Banana)
- Transplant outdoors: Winter Squash (Buttercup)
- Transplant outdoors: Winter Squash (Butternut)
- Transplant outdoors: Winter Squash (Cushaw)
- Transplant outdoors: Winter Squash (Delicata)
- Transplant outdoors: Winter Squash (Hubbard)
- Transplant outdoors: Winter Squash (Spaghetti)
- Transplant outdoors: Yarrow
- Plant outdoors: Ginger
- Plant outdoors: Sweet Potato
- Plant outdoors: Turmeric
August
- Plant outdoors: Elephant Garlic
- Plant outdoors: Garlic
Understand your frost dates
More Iowa planting calendars
ZIP codes in Iowa City
Where these dates come from
Frost dates for Iowa City, IAare NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals from a station representative of the area, which covers 4 ZIP codes. Individual ZIP codes within it can run earlier or later.
Your exact dates depend on your address and microclimate. Schedules are guidance, not guarantees.