Iowa Planting Calendar

Frost dates, growing zones, and planting dates for Iowa gardeners.

Zone 4b Zone 5a Zone 5b

The Short Answer

Iowa spans USDA zones 4b through 5b, which means planting dates vary significantly across the state. Northern Iowa has an average last frost around May 5 - May 20, while Southern Iowa sees its last frost around Apr 20 - May 5. Use our homepage tool with your zip code for dates specific to your exact location.

Iowa Frost Dates by Region

Continental climate. Cold winters, warm humid summers. Good growing season with adequate rainfall.

Region	Zones	Last Frost (Spring)	First Frost (Fall)
Northern Iowa	4b, 5a	May 5 - May 20	Sep 20 - Oct 5
Central Iowa	5a, 5b	Apr 25 - May 10	Oct 1 - Oct 15
Southern Iowa	5b	Apr 20 - May 5	Oct 5 - Oct 20

Soil & Growing Conditions

Outstanding black prairie soils. Some of the richest agricultural land in the world. Minimal amendment needed.

What to Plant in Iowa

Iowa's short growing season rewards strategic planning. Cold-hardy crops are your strength, and warm-season crops need indoor starting. These are the best performers for Iowa's climate:

Top Picks for Iowa

Kale Garlic Potatoes Peas Carrots Lettuce Broccoli Beets Radishes Spinach Beans (Green/Snap)Cabbage Daffodils

Worth the Effort

With indoor starting and season extension, Iowa gardeners also grow excellent tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and sunflowers. The long summer daylight hours drive faster growth than you'd expect:

Tomatoes Peppers Cucumbers Squash (Summer)Basil Sunflowers Zinnias Corn (Sweet)

Browse all 100 plants — or enter your zip code for personalized planting dates.

Neighboring States

Gardeners near state borders may find useful information in neighboring state guides:

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Note: Frost dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages. Actual frost dates can vary significantly year to year. Zone data is from the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026