Planting Calendar for ZIP 52246
Based on your local frost dates - last spring frost around Apr 21, first fall frost around Oct 18 - here is when to plant 79 common crops near ZIP 52246.
Last spring frost
Apr 21
First fall frost
Oct 18
Hardiness zone
5b
Vegetables
| Crop | Start seeds indoors | Plant outside | Fall planting by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Mar 10 | Apr 28 (Transplant out) | - |
| Peppers | Feb 24 | May 5 (Transplant out) | - |
| Cucumbers | Mar 31 | Apr 28 (Transplant out) | Aug 10 |
| Zucchini | Mar 31 | Apr 28 (Transplant out) | Aug 15 |
| Summer Squash | Mar 31 | Apr 28 (Transplant out) | Aug 13 |
| Winter Squash | Mar 31 | Apr 28 (Transplant out) | - |
| Pumpkins | Mar 31 | Apr 28 (Transplant out) | - |
| Green Beans | - | Apr 21 (Direct sow) | Aug 10 |
| Sweet Corn | - | Apr 28 (Direct sow) | - |
| Melons | Mar 31 | May 5 (Transplant out) | - |
| Watermelon | Mar 31 | May 5 (Transplant out) | - |
| Okra | - | May 5 (Direct sow) | - |
| Eggplant | Feb 24 | May 5 (Transplant out) | - |
| Lettuce | Mar 24 | Mar 24 (Transplant out) | Aug 15 |
| Spinach | - | Mar 10 (Direct sow) | Aug 20 |
| Kale | Mar 10 | Mar 31 (Transplant out) | Aug 10 |
| Peas | - | Mar 10 (Direct sow) | Aug 5 |
| Carrots | - | Mar 31 (Direct sow) | Jul 26 |
| Beets | - | Mar 24 (Direct sow) | Aug 10 |
| Radishes | - | Mar 24 (Direct sow) | Sep 6 |
| Broccoli | Mar 10 | Apr 7 (Transplant out) | Jul 31 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 10 | Apr 7 (Transplant out) | Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Mar 10 | Mar 31 (Transplant out) | Jul 26 |
| Onions | Feb 10 | Mar 24 (Transplant out) | - |
| Potatoes | - | Apr 7 (Direct sow) | - |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 24 | Apr 7 (Transplant out) | Aug 10 |
| Sweet Potatoes | - | May 12 (Direct sow) | - |
| Brussels Sprouts | Mar 10 | Apr 7 (Transplant out) | Jun 26 |
| Celery | Feb 10 | Apr 28 (Transplant out) | - |
| Leeks | Feb 10 | Apr 7 (Transplant out) | Jun 6 |
| Turnips | - | Apr 7 (Direct sow) | Aug 15 |
| Rutabaga | - | Apr 21 (Direct sow) | Jul 1 |
| Parsnips | - | Apr 7 (Direct sow) | Jun 6 |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 24 | Apr 7 (Transplant out) | Aug 10 |
| Collard Greens | Mar 10 | Apr 7 (Transplant out) | Jul 31 |
| Mustard Greens | - | Apr 7 (Direct sow) | Aug 20 |
| Arugula | - | Apr 7 (Direct sow) | Aug 25 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 24 | Apr 7 (Transplant out) | Aug 15 |
| Green Onions | - | Apr 7 (Direct sow) | Aug 5 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 10 | Apr 28 (Transplant out) | - |
| Fennel | Mar 24 | Apr 7 (Transplant out) | Jul 16 |
| Popcorn | Apr 21 | May 5 (Transplant out) | - |
| Black-Eyed Peas | Apr 21 | May 5 (Transplant out) | Jul 16 |
| Lima Beans | Apr 21 | May 5 (Transplant out) | - |
| Edamame | Apr 21 | May 5 (Transplant out) | - |
| Peanuts | Apr 21 | May 5 (Transplant out) | - |
| Globe Artichoke | Feb 24 | Apr 7 (Transplant out) | Jul 6 |
| Horseradish | Apr 21 | Apr 7 (Transplant out) | - |
| Ground Cherries | Mar 10 | May 5 (Transplant out) | - |
| Radicchio | Mar 17 | Apr 7 (Transplant out) | Jul 26 |
| Endive | Mar 17 | Apr 7 (Transplant out) | Jul 6 |
| Watercress | Mar 31 | Apr 7 (Transplant out) | Aug 5 |
| Sorrel | Mar 10 | Mar 31 (Transplant out) | Aug 5 |
| Sunchokes | Apr 21 | Apr 7 (Transplant out) | - |
| Malabar Spinach | Mar 10 | May 5 (Transplant out) | - |
| Amaranth Greens | Mar 31 | May 5 (Transplant out) | Aug 20 |
| Luffa Gourd | Mar 10 | May 5 (Transplant out) | - |
| New Zealand Spinach | Mar 24 | May 5 (Transplant out) | - |
| Fava Beans | Apr 21 | Mar 24 (Transplant out) | Jul 11 |
| Chayote | Mar 24 | May 5 (Transplant out) | - |
| Corn Salad | Apr 21 | Mar 24 (Transplant out) | Aug 5 |
| Bitter Melon | Mar 24 | May 5 (Transplant out) | - |
| Cardoon | Mar 10 | Apr 21 (Transplant out) | - |
Herbs
| Crop | Start seeds indoors | Plant outside | Fall planting by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Mar 10 | Apr 28 (Transplant out) | - |
| Cilantro | - | Apr 7 (Direct sow) | Aug 15 |
| Parsley | Feb 24 | May 5 (Transplant out) | Jul 21 |
| Dill | - | Apr 28 (Direct sow) | Aug 5 |
| Lemon Balm | Mar 10 | Apr 21 (Transplant out) | - |
| Borage | Apr 21 | Apr 21 (Transplant out) | Aug 10 |
| Chervil | Apr 21 | Mar 31 (Transplant out) | Aug 10 |
| Lemongrass | Feb 24 | May 5 (Transplant out) | - |
| Summer Savory | Mar 10 | Apr 21 (Transplant out) | - |
| Marjoram | Mar 10 | Apr 28 (Transplant out) | - |
| Lovage | Mar 10 | Apr 21 (Transplant out) | Jul 6 |
| Anise Hyssop | Feb 24 | Apr 21 (Transplant out) | - |
| Shiso | Mar 10 | Apr 28 (Transplant out) | - |
| Stevia | Feb 24 | May 5 (Transplant out) | - |
| Chamomile | Mar 10 | Apr 7 (Transplant out) | Jul 31 |
| Tarragon | Apr 21 | Apr 21 (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 Iowa City Muni Ap, Ia, 3 miles away. Averages for planning, not a forecast. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.