When to plant celery in Iowa

Celery
Plant out in Des Moines
Apr 25–May 2

Across Iowa the window opens between April 22 and May 6. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

Start indoors, Des Moines
Jan 24–Feb 7
Plant out, Des Moines
Apr 25–May 2
Last frost, Des Moines
Apr 18

Start seeds indoors 10–12 weeks before the last frost; plant out 1–2 weeks after the last frost. Celery needs steady moisture all season.

Celery planting dates by city

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Des MoinesApr 25–May 2
Cedar RapidsMay 4–May 11
DavenportApr 26–May 3
Sioux CityMay 6–May 13
AnkenyApr 30–May 7
Iowa CityApr 28–May 5
West Des MoinesApr 25–May 2
AmesMay 3–May 10
WaterlooMay 4–May 11
Council BluffsApr 25–May 2
DubuqueApr 26–May 3
UrbandaleApr 26–May 3
MarionMay 5–May 12
Cedar FallsMay 4–May 11
BettendorfApr 23–Apr 30
WaukeeApr 25–May 2
MarshalltownMay 5–May 12
Mason CityMay 6–May 13
OttumwaApr 30–May 7
JohnstonApr 26–May 3
Fort DodgeMay 5–May 12
ClintonApr 29–May 6
CoralvilleApr 28–May 5
BurlingtonApr 22–Apr 29
MuscatineMay 1–May 8
AltoonaApr 30–May 7
North LibertyApr 28–May 5

Questions

When should I plant celery in Iowa?

In Des Moines, plant out from April 25 to May 2. Across Iowa the window opens between April 22 and May 6, depending on the local last frost.

How is this date worked out?

Start seeds indoors 10–12 weeks before the last frost; plant out 1–2 weeks after the last frost. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 averages for the weather station nearest each city.

More for Iowa

Celery in other states

Frost dates for every city in Iowa