When to Plant Tomatoes in Iowa
In Iowa, the time to transplant tomatoes outside runs from Apr 22 – May 6 in Burlington to May 8 – May 22 in Spencer. In Des Moines, it's Apr 25 – May 9. 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.
Tomatoes are killed by frost and sulk in cold soil. Wait until nights stay above 50°F, usually one to three weeks after the average last frost.
- Start indoors: 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
- Transplant outside: 1–3 weeks after the last frost.
Tomatoes planting dates in Iowa by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Transplant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Altoona | 5b | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Ames | 5b | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Ankeny | 5b | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Bettendorf | 5b | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 23 – May 7 |
| Boone | 5a | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 5 – May 19 |
| Burlington | 6a | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 22 – May 6 |
| Cedar Falls | 5a | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 4 – May 18 |
| Cedar Rapids | 5b | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 4 – May 18 |
| Clinton | 5b | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 13 |
| Clive | 5b | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Coralville | 5b | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 12 |
| Council Bluffs | 5b | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Davenport | 5b | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 |
| Des Moines | 5b | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Dubuque | 5a | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 |
| Fort Dodge | 5a | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 5 – May 19 |
| Grimes | 5b | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 |
| Indianola | 5b | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 15 |
| Iowa City | 5b | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 12 |
| Johnston | 5b | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 |
| Le Mars | 5a | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Marion | 5a | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 5 – May 19 |
| Marshalltown | 5a | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 5 – May 19 |
| Mason City | 5a | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20 |
| Muscatine | 5b | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 15 |
| Newton | 5b | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 13 |
| North Liberty | 5b | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 12 |
| Norwalk | 5b | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Oskaloosa | 5b | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 12 |
| Ottumwa | 5b | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Pella | 5b | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 11 |
| Pleasant Hill | 5b | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Sioux City | 5a | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20 |
| Spencer | 5a | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 22 |
| Storm Lake | 5a | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Urbandale | 5b | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 |
| Waterloo | 5a | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 4 – May 18 |
| Waukee | 5b | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Waverly | 5a | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 4 – May 18 |
| West Des Moines | 5b | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
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 tomatoes.
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