When to plant daffodil bulbs in Iowa

Fall planting in Des Moines

Sep 22–Nov 3

Across Iowa the window opens between September 9 and September 27. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average first fall frost.

Fall planting, Des Moines: Sep 22–Nov 3
Last frost, Des Moines: Apr 18

Plant from 4 weeks before to 2 weeks after the first fall frost. Daffodils root best when they go in a few weeks before the ground freezes. Deer and rodents leave them alone.

Daffodil bulbs planting dates by city

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Des MoinesSep 22–Nov 3

Cedar RapidsSep 13–Oct 25

DavenportSep 24–Nov 5

Sioux CitySep 9–Oct 21

AnkenySep 17–Oct 29

Iowa CitySep 20–Nov 1

West Des MoinesSep 22–Nov 3

AmesSep 10–Oct 22

WaterlooSep 12–Oct 24

Council BluffsSep 23–Nov 4

DubuqueSep 23–Nov 4

UrbandaleSep 20–Nov 1

MarionSep 14–Oct 26

Cedar FallsSep 12–Oct 24

BettendorfSep 27–Nov 8

WaukeeSep 22–Nov 3

MarshalltownSep 9–Oct 21

Mason CitySep 9–Oct 21

OttumwaSep 16–Oct 28

JohnstonSep 20–Nov 1

Fort DodgeSep 10–Oct 22

ClintonSep 18–Oct 30

CoralvilleSep 20–Nov 1

BurlingtonSep 22–Nov 3

MuscatineSep 16–Oct 28

AltoonaSep 17–Oct 29

North LibertySep 20–Nov 1

Questions

When should I plant daffodil bulbs in Iowa?

In Des Moines, fall planting from September 22 to November 3. Across Iowa the window opens between September 9 and September 27, depending on the local last frost.

How is this date worked out?

Plant from 4 weeks before to 2 weeks after the first fall frost. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 averages for the weather station nearest each city.