Planting Calendar for ZIP 50154
Based on your local frost dates - last spring frost around Apr 24, first fall frost around Oct 12 - here is when to plant 79 common crops near ZIP 50154.
Last spring frost
Apr 24
First fall frost
Oct 12
Hardiness zone
5a
Vegetables
| Crop | Start seeds indoors | Plant outside | Fall planting by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Mar 13 | May 1 (Transplant out) | - |
| Peppers | Feb 27 | May 8 (Transplant out) | - |
| Cucumbers | Apr 3 | May 1 (Transplant out) | Aug 4 |
| Zucchini | Apr 3 | May 1 (Transplant out) | Aug 9 |
| Summer Squash | Apr 3 | May 1 (Transplant out) | Aug 7 |
| Winter Squash | Apr 3 | May 1 (Transplant out) | - |
| Pumpkins | Apr 3 | May 1 (Transplant out) | - |
| Green Beans | - | Apr 24 (Direct sow) | Aug 4 |
| Sweet Corn | - | May 1 (Direct sow) | - |
| Melons | Apr 3 | May 8 (Transplant out) | - |
| Watermelon | Apr 3 | May 8 (Transplant out) | - |
| Okra | - | May 8 (Direct sow) | - |
| Eggplant | Feb 27 | May 8 (Transplant out) | - |
| Lettuce | Mar 27 | Mar 27 (Transplant out) | Aug 9 |
| Spinach | - | Mar 13 (Direct sow) | Aug 14 |
| Kale | Mar 13 | Apr 3 (Transplant out) | Aug 4 |
| Peas | - | Mar 13 (Direct sow) | Jul 30 |
| Carrots | - | Apr 3 (Direct sow) | Jul 20 |
| Beets | - | Mar 27 (Direct sow) | Aug 4 |
| Radishes | - | Mar 27 (Direct sow) | Aug 31 |
| Broccoli | Mar 13 | Apr 10 (Transplant out) | Jul 25 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 13 | Apr 10 (Transplant out) | Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Mar 13 | Apr 3 (Transplant out) | Jul 20 |
| Onions | Feb 13 | Mar 27 (Transplant out) | - |
| Potatoes | - | Apr 10 (Direct sow) | - |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 27 | Apr 10 (Transplant out) | Aug 4 |
| Sweet Potatoes | - | May 15 (Direct sow) | - |
| Brussels Sprouts | Mar 13 | Apr 10 (Transplant out) | Jun 20 |
| Celery | Feb 13 | May 1 (Transplant out) | - |
| Leeks | Feb 13 | Apr 10 (Transplant out) | May 31 |
| Turnips | - | Apr 10 (Direct sow) | Aug 9 |
| Rutabaga | - | Apr 24 (Direct sow) | Jun 25 |
| Parsnips | - | Apr 10 (Direct sow) | May 31 |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 27 | Apr 10 (Transplant out) | Aug 4 |
| Collard Greens | Mar 13 | Apr 10 (Transplant out) | Jul 25 |
| Mustard Greens | - | Apr 10 (Direct sow) | Aug 14 |
| Arugula | - | Apr 10 (Direct sow) | Aug 19 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 27 | Apr 10 (Transplant out) | Aug 9 |
| Green Onions | - | Apr 10 (Direct sow) | Jul 30 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 13 | May 1 (Transplant out) | - |
| Fennel | Mar 27 | Apr 10 (Transplant out) | Jul 10 |
| Popcorn | Apr 24 | May 8 (Transplant out) | - |
| Black-Eyed Peas | Apr 24 | May 8 (Transplant out) | Jul 10 |
| Lima Beans | Apr 24 | May 8 (Transplant out) | - |
| Edamame | Apr 24 | May 8 (Transplant out) | - |
| Peanuts | Apr 24 | May 8 (Transplant out) | - |
| Globe Artichoke | Feb 27 | Apr 10 (Transplant out) | Jun 30 |
| Horseradish | Apr 24 | Apr 10 (Transplant out) | - |
| Ground Cherries | Mar 13 | May 8 (Transplant out) | - |
| Radicchio | Mar 20 | Apr 10 (Transplant out) | Jul 20 |
| Endive | Mar 20 | Apr 10 (Transplant out) | Jun 30 |
| Watercress | Apr 3 | Apr 10 (Transplant out) | Jul 30 |
| Sorrel | Mar 13 | Apr 3 (Transplant out) | Jul 30 |
| Sunchokes | Apr 24 | Apr 10 (Transplant out) | - |
| Malabar Spinach | Mar 13 | May 8 (Transplant out) | - |
| Amaranth Greens | Apr 3 | May 8 (Transplant out) | Aug 14 |
| Luffa Gourd | Mar 13 | May 8 (Transplant out) | - |
| New Zealand Spinach | Mar 27 | May 8 (Transplant out) | - |
| Fava Beans | Apr 24 | Mar 27 (Transplant out) | Jul 5 |
| Chayote | Mar 27 | May 8 (Transplant out) | - |
| Corn Salad | Apr 24 | Mar 27 (Transplant out) | Jul 30 |
| Bitter Melon | Mar 27 | May 8 (Transplant out) | - |
| Cardoon | Mar 13 | Apr 24 (Transplant out) | - |
Herbs
| Crop | Start seeds indoors | Plant outside | Fall planting by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Mar 13 | May 1 (Transplant out) | - |
| Cilantro | - | Apr 10 (Direct sow) | Aug 9 |
| Parsley | Feb 27 | May 8 (Transplant out) | Jul 15 |
| Dill | - | May 1 (Direct sow) | Jul 30 |
| Lemon Balm | Mar 13 | Apr 24 (Transplant out) | - |
| Borage | Apr 24 | Apr 24 (Transplant out) | Aug 4 |
| Chervil | Apr 24 | Apr 3 (Transplant out) | Aug 4 |
| Lemongrass | Feb 27 | May 8 (Transplant out) | - |
| Summer Savory | Mar 13 | Apr 24 (Transplant out) | - |
| Marjoram | Mar 13 | May 1 (Transplant out) | - |
| Lovage | Mar 13 | Apr 24 (Transplant out) | Jun 30 |
| Anise Hyssop | Feb 27 | Apr 24 (Transplant out) | - |
| Shiso | Mar 13 | May 1 (Transplant out) | - |
| Stevia | Feb 27 | May 8 (Transplant out) | - |
| Chamomile | Mar 13 | Apr 10 (Transplant out) | Jul 25 |
| Tarragon | Apr 24 | Apr 24 (Transplant out) | - |
How to read this calendar
Start seeds indoors is when to sow in trays inside so seedlings are ready to transplant. Plant outside is when to transplant seedlings or direct-sow seed, based on frost tolerance. Fall planting by is the latest date to start a fall crop and still harvest before the first fall frost. Tender crops wait until after the last spring frost; hardy crops can go out earlier.
Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals at Colo, Ia, 11.6 miles away. Averages for planning, not a forecast. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.