When to plant broccoli in Iowa

Plant out in Des Moines

Mar 21–Apr 4

Across Iowa the window opens between March 18 and April 1. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

Start indoors, Des Moines: Feb 7–Feb 21
Plant out, Des Moines: Mar 21–Apr 4
Fall planting, Des Moines: Jul 28–Aug 11
Last frost, Des Moines: Apr 18

Start seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before the last frost; plant out 2–4 weeks before the last frost; sow again for fall 10–12 weeks before the first frost. Broccoli grown for a fall harvest often tastes sweeter than spring broccoli. Light frost improves it.

Broccoli planting dates by city

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Des MoinesMar 21–Apr 4

Cedar RapidsMar 30–Apr 13

DavenportMar 22–Apr 5

Sioux CityApr 1–Apr 15

AnkenyMar 26–Apr 9

Iowa CityMar 24–Apr 7

West Des MoinesMar 21–Apr 4

AmesMar 29–Apr 12

WaterlooMar 30–Apr 13

Council BluffsMar 21–Apr 4

DubuqueMar 22–Apr 5

UrbandaleMar 22–Apr 5

MarionMar 31–Apr 14

Cedar FallsMar 30–Apr 13

BettendorfMar 19–Apr 2

WaukeeMar 21–Apr 4

MarshalltownMar 31–Apr 14

Mason CityApr 1–Apr 15

OttumwaMar 26–Apr 9

JohnstonMar 22–Apr 5

Fort DodgeMar 31–Apr 14

ClintonMar 25–Apr 8

CoralvilleMar 24–Apr 7

BurlingtonMar 18–Apr 1

MuscatineMar 27–Apr 10

AltoonaMar 26–Apr 9

North LibertyMar 24–Apr 7

Questions

When should I plant broccoli in Iowa?

In Des Moines, plant out from March 21 to April 4. Across Iowa the window opens between March 18 and April 1, depending on the local last frost.

How is this date worked out?

Start seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before the last frost; plant out 2–4 weeks before the last frost; sow again for fall 10–12 weeks before the first frost. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 averages for the weather station nearest each city.

More for Iowa

Broccoli in other states

Frost dates for every city in Iowa