When to Plant Garlic in Iowa
In Iowa, the time to plant garlic in fall runs from Oct 3 – Oct 31 in Spencer to Oct 25 – Nov 22 in Bettendorf. In Des Moines, it's Oct 20 – Nov 17. The average first fall frost differs by about 3 weeks across the state (Oct 3 in Spencer, Oct 25 in Bettendorf), so use the dates for the town nearest you.
Garlic is planted in fall, around the first frost, and harvested the next summer. Cloves need a cold winter to form good bulbs.
- Plant: from the first fall frost up to 4 weeks after it.
Garlic planting dates in Iowa by city
| City | Zone | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|
| Altoona | 5b | Oct 15 – Nov 12 |
| Ames | 5b | Oct 8 – Nov 5 |
| Ankeny | 5b | Oct 15 – Nov 12 |
| Bettendorf | 5b | Oct 25 – Nov 22 |
| Boone | 5a | Oct 12 – Nov 9 |
| Burlington | 6a | Oct 20 – Nov 17 |
| Cedar Falls | 5a | Oct 10 – Nov 7 |
| Cedar Rapids | 5b | Oct 11 – Nov 8 |
| Clinton | 5b | Oct 16 – Nov 13 |
| Clive | 5b | Oct 20 – Nov 17 |
| Coralville | 5b | Oct 18 – Nov 15 |
| Council Bluffs | 5b | Oct 21 – Nov 18 |
| Davenport | 5b | Oct 22 – Nov 19 |
| Des Moines | 5b | Oct 20 – Nov 17 |
| Dubuque | 5a | Oct 21 – Nov 18 |
| Fort Dodge | 5a | Oct 8 – Nov 5 |
| Grimes | 5b | Oct 18 – Nov 15 |
| Indianola | 5b | Oct 12 – Nov 9 |
| Iowa City | 5b | Oct 18 – Nov 15 |
| Johnston | 5b | Oct 18 – Nov 15 |
| Le Mars | 5a | Oct 4 – Nov 1 |
| Marion | 5a | Oct 12 – Nov 9 |
| Marshalltown | 5a | Oct 7 – Nov 4 |
| Mason City | 5a | Oct 7 – Nov 4 |
| Muscatine | 5b | Oct 14 – Nov 11 |
| Newton | 5b | Oct 17 – Nov 14 |
| North Liberty | 5b | Oct 18 – Nov 15 |
| Norwalk | 5b | Oct 20 – Nov 17 |
| Oskaloosa | 5b | Oct 16 – Nov 13 |
| Ottumwa | 5b | Oct 14 – Nov 11 |
| Pella | 5b | Oct 19 – Nov 16 |
| Pleasant Hill | 5b | Oct 20 – Nov 17 |
| Sioux City | 5a | Oct 7 – Nov 4 |
| Spencer | 5a | Oct 3 – Oct 31 |
| Storm Lake | 5a | Oct 13 – Nov 10 |
| Urbandale | 5b | Oct 18 – Nov 15 |
| Waterloo | 5a | Oct 10 – Nov 7 |
| Waukee | 5b | Oct 20 – Nov 17 |
| Waverly | 5a | Oct 10 – Nov 7 |
| West Des Moines | 5b | Oct 20 – Nov 17 |
Calculated from each town's average (50%) frost dates, from the nearest NOAA station (1991–2020). Typical dates for the 2027 planting season, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 averages. They are long-term odds, not a forecast: always check your local forecast before planting. Zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (USDA-ARS and Oregon State University). Not the official map; see planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
See all frost dates in Iowa, or the general guide to when to plant garlic.
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