Planting Calendar for ZIP 51561
Based on your local frost dates - last spring frost around Apr 23, first fall frost around Oct 11 - here is when to plant 79 common crops near ZIP 51561.
Last spring frost
Apr 23
First fall frost
Oct 11
Hardiness zone
5b
Vegetables
| Crop | Start seeds indoors | Plant outside | Fall planting by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Mar 12 | Apr 30 (Transplant out) | - |
| Peppers | Feb 26 | May 7 (Transplant out) | - |
| Cucumbers | Apr 2 | Apr 30 (Transplant out) | Aug 3 |
| Zucchini | Apr 2 | Apr 30 (Transplant out) | Aug 8 |
| Summer Squash | Apr 2 | Apr 30 (Transplant out) | Aug 6 |
| Winter Squash | Apr 2 | Apr 30 (Transplant out) | - |
| Pumpkins | Apr 2 | Apr 30 (Transplant out) | - |
| Green Beans | - | Apr 23 (Direct sow) | Aug 3 |
| Sweet Corn | - | Apr 30 (Direct sow) | - |
| Melons | Apr 2 | May 7 (Transplant out) | - |
| Watermelon | Apr 2 | May 7 (Transplant out) | - |
| Okra | - | May 7 (Direct sow) | - |
| Eggplant | Feb 26 | May 7 (Transplant out) | - |
| Lettuce | Mar 26 | Mar 26 (Transplant out) | Aug 8 |
| Spinach | - | Mar 12 (Direct sow) | Aug 13 |
| Kale | Mar 12 | Apr 2 (Transplant out) | Aug 3 |
| Peas | - | Mar 12 (Direct sow) | Jul 29 |
| Carrots | - | Apr 2 (Direct sow) | Jul 19 |
| Beets | - | Mar 26 (Direct sow) | Aug 3 |
| Radishes | - | Mar 26 (Direct sow) | Aug 30 |
| Broccoli | Mar 12 | Apr 9 (Transplant out) | Jul 24 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 12 | Apr 9 (Transplant out) | Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Mar 12 | Apr 2 (Transplant out) | Jul 19 |
| Onions | Feb 12 | Mar 26 (Transplant out) | - |
| Potatoes | - | Apr 9 (Direct sow) | - |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 26 | Apr 9 (Transplant out) | Aug 3 |
| Sweet Potatoes | - | May 14 (Direct sow) | - |
| Brussels Sprouts | Mar 12 | Apr 9 (Transplant out) | Jun 19 |
| Celery | Feb 12 | Apr 30 (Transplant out) | - |
| Leeks | Feb 12 | Apr 9 (Transplant out) | May 30 |
| Turnips | - | Apr 9 (Direct sow) | Aug 8 |
| Rutabaga | - | Apr 23 (Direct sow) | Jun 24 |
| Parsnips | - | Apr 9 (Direct sow) | May 30 |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 26 | Apr 9 (Transplant out) | Aug 3 |
| Collard Greens | Mar 12 | Apr 9 (Transplant out) | Jul 24 |
| Mustard Greens | - | Apr 9 (Direct sow) | Aug 13 |
| Arugula | - | Apr 9 (Direct sow) | Aug 18 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 26 | Apr 9 (Transplant out) | Aug 8 |
| Green Onions | - | Apr 9 (Direct sow) | Jul 29 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 12 | Apr 30 (Transplant out) | - |
| Fennel | Mar 26 | Apr 9 (Transplant out) | Jul 9 |
| Popcorn | Apr 23 | May 7 (Transplant out) | - |
| Black-Eyed Peas | Apr 23 | May 7 (Transplant out) | Jul 9 |
| Lima Beans | Apr 23 | May 7 (Transplant out) | - |
| Edamame | Apr 23 | May 7 (Transplant out) | - |
| Peanuts | Apr 23 | May 7 (Transplant out) | - |
| Globe Artichoke | Feb 26 | Apr 9 (Transplant out) | Jun 29 |
| Horseradish | Apr 23 | Apr 9 (Transplant out) | - |
| Ground Cherries | Mar 12 | May 7 (Transplant out) | - |
| Radicchio | Mar 19 | Apr 9 (Transplant out) | Jul 19 |
| Endive | Mar 19 | Apr 9 (Transplant out) | Jun 29 |
| Watercress | Apr 2 | Apr 9 (Transplant out) | Jul 29 |
| Sorrel | Mar 12 | Apr 2 (Transplant out) | Jul 29 |
| Sunchokes | Apr 23 | Apr 9 (Transplant out) | - |
| Malabar Spinach | Mar 12 | May 7 (Transplant out) | - |
| Amaranth Greens | Apr 2 | May 7 (Transplant out) | Aug 13 |
| Luffa Gourd | Mar 12 | May 7 (Transplant out) | - |
| New Zealand Spinach | Mar 26 | May 7 (Transplant out) | - |
| Fava Beans | Apr 23 | Mar 26 (Transplant out) | Jul 4 |
| Chayote | Mar 26 | May 7 (Transplant out) | - |
| Corn Salad | Apr 23 | Mar 26 (Transplant out) | Jul 29 |
| Bitter Melon | Mar 26 | May 7 (Transplant out) | - |
| Cardoon | Mar 12 | Apr 23 (Transplant out) | - |
Herbs
| Crop | Start seeds indoors | Plant outside | Fall planting by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Mar 12 | Apr 30 (Transplant out) | - |
| Cilantro | - | Apr 9 (Direct sow) | Aug 8 |
| Parsley | Feb 26 | May 7 (Transplant out) | Jul 14 |
| Dill | - | Apr 30 (Direct sow) | Jul 29 |
| Lemon Balm | Mar 12 | Apr 23 (Transplant out) | - |
| Borage | Apr 23 | Apr 23 (Transplant out) | Aug 3 |
| Chervil | Apr 23 | Apr 2 (Transplant out) | Aug 3 |
| Lemongrass | Feb 26 | May 7 (Transplant out) | - |
| Summer Savory | Mar 12 | Apr 23 (Transplant out) | - |
| Marjoram | Mar 12 | Apr 30 (Transplant out) | - |
| Lovage | Mar 12 | Apr 23 (Transplant out) | Jun 29 |
| Anise Hyssop | Feb 26 | Apr 23 (Transplant out) | - |
| Shiso | Mar 12 | Apr 30 (Transplant out) | - |
| Stevia | Feb 26 | May 7 (Transplant out) | - |
| Chamomile | Mar 12 | Apr 9 (Transplant out) | Jul 24 |
| Tarragon | Apr 23 | Apr 23 (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 Glenwood 3Sw, Ia, 1.9 miles away. Averages for planning, not a forecast. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.