When to Plant Peppers in Iowa
In Iowa, the time to transplant peppers outside runs from Apr 29 – May 13 in Burlington to May 15 – May 29 in Spencer. In Des Moines, it's May 2 – May 16. The average last spring frost differs by about 2 weeks across the state (Apr 15 in Burlington, May 1 in Spencer), so use the dates for the town nearest you.
Peppers need even more warmth than tomatoes. Start them early indoors and set them out once the soil has warmed, two to four weeks after the last frost.
- Start indoors: 8–10 weeks before the last frost.
- Transplant outside: 2–4 weeks after the last frost.
Peppers planting dates in Iowa by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Transplant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Altoona | 5b | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Ames | 5b | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 |
| Ankeny | 5b | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Bettendorf | 5b | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Boone | 5a | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | May 12 – May 26 |
| Burlington | 6a | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 29 – May 13 |
| Cedar Falls | 5a | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | May 11 – May 25 |
| Cedar Rapids | 5b | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | May 11 – May 25 |
| Clinton | 5b | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 |
| Clive | 5b | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Coralville | 5b | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | May 5 – May 19 |
| Council Bluffs | 5b | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Davenport | 5b | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Des Moines | 5b | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Dubuque | 5a | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Fort Dodge | 5a | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | May 12 – May 26 |
| Grimes | 5b | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Indianola | 5b | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 |
| Iowa City | 5b | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | May 5 – May 19 |
| Johnston | 5b | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Le Mars | 5a | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 |
| Marion | 5a | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | May 12 – May 26 |
| Marshalltown | 5a | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | May 12 – May 26 |
| Mason City | 5a | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 27 |
| Muscatine | 5b | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 |
| Newton | 5b | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 |
| North Liberty | 5b | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | May 5 – May 19 |
| Norwalk | 5b | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Oskaloosa | 5b | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | May 5 – May 19 |
| Ottumwa | 5b | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Pella | 5b | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | May 4 – May 18 |
| Pleasant Hill | 5b | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Sioux City | 5a | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 27 |
| Spencer | 5a | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | May 15 – May 29 |
| Storm Lake | 5a | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | May 9 – May 23 |
| Urbandale | 5b | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Waterloo | 5a | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | May 11 – May 25 |
| Waukee | 5b | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Waverly | 5a | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | May 11 – May 25 |
| West Des Moines | 5b | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | May 2 – May 16 |
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 peppers.
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