When to Plant Potatoes in Iowa
In Iowa, the time to plant potatoes outside runs from Mar 25 – Apr 8 in Burlington to Apr 10 – Apr 24 in Spencer. In Des Moines, it's Mar 28 – Apr 11. 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.
Plant seed potatoes a few weeks before the last frost; cover any shoots if a late frost threatens.
- Plant outside: 1–3 weeks before the last frost.
Potatoes planting dates in Iowa by city
| City | Zone | Plant outside |
|---|---|---|
| Altoona | 5b | Apr 2 – Apr 16 |
| Ames | 5b | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Ankeny | 5b | Apr 2 – Apr 16 |
| Bettendorf | 5b | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Boone | 5a | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Burlington | 6a | Mar 25 – Apr 8 |
| Cedar Falls | 5a | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Cedar Rapids | 5b | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Clinton | 5b | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Clive | 5b | Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Coralville | 5b | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Council Bluffs | 5b | Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Davenport | 5b | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Des Moines | 5b | Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Dubuque | 5a | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Fort Dodge | 5a | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Grimes | 5b | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Indianola | 5b | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Iowa City | 5b | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Johnston | 5b | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Le Mars | 5a | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| Marion | 5a | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Marshalltown | 5a | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Mason City | 5a | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Muscatine | 5b | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Newton | 5b | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| North Liberty | 5b | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Norwalk | 5b | Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Oskaloosa | 5b | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Ottumwa | 5b | Apr 2 – Apr 16 |
| Pella | 5b | Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Pleasant Hill | 5b | Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Sioux City | 5a | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Spencer | 5a | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Storm Lake | 5a | Apr 4 – Apr 18 |
| Urbandale | 5b | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Waterloo | 5a | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Waukee | 5b | Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Waverly | 5a | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| West Des Moines | 5b | Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
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 potatoes.
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