Planting Calendar for ZIP 50581
Based on your local frost dates - last spring frost around Apr 26, first fall frost around Oct 7 - here is when to plant 79 common crops near ZIP 50581.
Last spring frost
Apr 26
First fall frost
Oct 7
Hardiness zone
5a
Vegetables
| Crop | Start seeds indoors | Plant outside | Fall planting by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Mar 15 | May 3 (Transplant out) | - |
| Peppers | Mar 1 | May 10 (Transplant out) | - |
| Cucumbers | Apr 5 | May 3 (Transplant out) | Jul 30 |
| Zucchini | Apr 5 | May 3 (Transplant out) | Aug 4 |
| Summer Squash | Apr 5 | May 3 (Transplant out) | Aug 2 |
| Winter Squash | Apr 5 | May 3 (Transplant out) | - |
| Pumpkins | Apr 5 | May 3 (Transplant out) | - |
| Green Beans | - | Apr 26 (Direct sow) | Jul 30 |
| Sweet Corn | - | May 3 (Direct sow) | - |
| Melons | Apr 5 | May 10 (Transplant out) | - |
| Watermelon | Apr 5 | May 10 (Transplant out) | - |
| Okra | - | May 10 (Direct sow) | - |
| Eggplant | Mar 1 | May 10 (Transplant out) | - |
| Lettuce | Mar 29 | Mar 29 (Transplant out) | Aug 4 |
| Spinach | - | Mar 15 (Direct sow) | Aug 9 |
| Kale | Mar 15 | Apr 5 (Transplant out) | Jul 30 |
| Peas | - | Mar 15 (Direct sow) | Jul 25 |
| Carrots | - | Apr 5 (Direct sow) | Jul 15 |
| Beets | - | Mar 29 (Direct sow) | Jul 30 |
| Radishes | - | Mar 29 (Direct sow) | Aug 26 |
| Broccoli | Mar 15 | Apr 12 (Transplant out) | Jul 20 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 15 | Apr 12 (Transplant out) | Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Mar 15 | Apr 5 (Transplant out) | Jul 15 |
| Onions | Feb 15 | Mar 29 (Transplant out) | - |
| Potatoes | - | Apr 12 (Direct sow) | - |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 29 | Apr 12 (Transplant out) | Jul 30 |
| Sweet Potatoes | - | May 17 (Direct sow) | - |
| Brussels Sprouts | Mar 15 | Apr 12 (Transplant out) | Jun 15 |
| Celery | Feb 15 | May 3 (Transplant out) | - |
| Leeks | Feb 15 | Apr 12 (Transplant out) | May 26 |
| Turnips | - | Apr 12 (Direct sow) | Aug 4 |
| Rutabaga | - | Apr 26 (Direct sow) | Jun 20 |
| Parsnips | - | Apr 12 (Direct sow) | May 26 |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 29 | Apr 12 (Transplant out) | Jul 30 |
| Collard Greens | Mar 15 | Apr 12 (Transplant out) | Jul 20 |
| Mustard Greens | - | Apr 12 (Direct sow) | Aug 9 |
| Arugula | - | Apr 12 (Direct sow) | Aug 14 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 29 | Apr 12 (Transplant out) | Aug 4 |
| Green Onions | - | Apr 12 (Direct sow) | Jul 25 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 15 | May 3 (Transplant out) | - |
| Fennel | Mar 29 | Apr 12 (Transplant out) | Jul 5 |
| Popcorn | Apr 26 | May 10 (Transplant out) | - |
| Black-Eyed Peas | Apr 26 | May 10 (Transplant out) | Jul 5 |
| Lima Beans | Apr 26 | May 10 (Transplant out) | - |
| Edamame | Apr 26 | May 10 (Transplant out) | - |
| Peanuts | Apr 26 | May 10 (Transplant out) | - |
| Globe Artichoke | Mar 1 | Apr 12 (Transplant out) | Jun 25 |
| Horseradish | Apr 26 | Apr 12 (Transplant out) | - |
| Ground Cherries | Mar 15 | May 10 (Transplant out) | - |
| Radicchio | Mar 22 | Apr 12 (Transplant out) | Jul 15 |
| Endive | Mar 22 | Apr 12 (Transplant out) | Jun 25 |
| Watercress | Apr 5 | Apr 12 (Transplant out) | Jul 25 |
| Sorrel | Mar 15 | Apr 5 (Transplant out) | Jul 25 |
| Sunchokes | Apr 26 | Apr 12 (Transplant out) | - |
| Malabar Spinach | Mar 15 | May 10 (Transplant out) | - |
| Amaranth Greens | Apr 5 | May 10 (Transplant out) | Aug 9 |
| Luffa Gourd | Mar 15 | May 10 (Transplant out) | - |
| New Zealand Spinach | Mar 29 | May 10 (Transplant out) | - |
| Fava Beans | Apr 26 | Mar 29 (Transplant out) | Jun 30 |
| Chayote | Mar 29 | May 10 (Transplant out) | - |
| Corn Salad | Apr 26 | Mar 29 (Transplant out) | Jul 25 |
| Bitter Melon | Mar 29 | May 10 (Transplant out) | - |
| Cardoon | Mar 15 | Apr 26 (Transplant out) | - |
Herbs
| Crop | Start seeds indoors | Plant outside | Fall planting by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Mar 15 | May 3 (Transplant out) | - |
| Cilantro | - | Apr 12 (Direct sow) | Aug 4 |
| Parsley | Mar 1 | May 10 (Transplant out) | Jul 10 |
| Dill | - | May 3 (Direct sow) | Jul 25 |
| Lemon Balm | Mar 15 | Apr 26 (Transplant out) | - |
| Borage | Apr 26 | Apr 26 (Transplant out) | Jul 30 |
| Chervil | Apr 26 | Apr 5 (Transplant out) | Jul 30 |
| Lemongrass | Mar 1 | May 10 (Transplant out) | - |
| Summer Savory | Mar 15 | Apr 26 (Transplant out) | - |
| Marjoram | Mar 15 | May 3 (Transplant out) | - |
| Lovage | Mar 15 | Apr 26 (Transplant out) | Jun 25 |
| Anise Hyssop | Mar 1 | Apr 26 (Transplant out) | - |
| Shiso | Mar 15 | May 3 (Transplant out) | - |
| Stevia | Mar 1 | May 10 (Transplant out) | - |
| Chamomile | Mar 15 | Apr 12 (Transplant out) | Jul 20 |
| Tarragon | Apr 26 | Apr 26 (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 Pocahontas, Ia, 9.7 miles away. Averages for planning, not a forecast. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.