When to plant garlic in Iowa

Fall planting in Des Moines

Sep 29–Nov 3

Across Iowa the window opens between September 16 and October 4. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average first fall frost.

Fall planting, Des Moines: Sep 29–Nov 3
Last frost, Des Moines: Apr 18

Plant cloves from 3 weeks before to 2 weeks after the first fall frost. Plant cloves pointy end up, about 2 inches deep. Roots grow before the ground freezes and leaves come up in spring.

Garlic planting dates by city

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Des MoinesSep 29–Nov 3

Cedar RapidsSep 20–Oct 25

DavenportOct 1–Nov 5

Sioux CitySep 16–Oct 21

AnkenySep 24–Oct 29

Iowa CitySep 27–Nov 1

West Des MoinesSep 29–Nov 3

AmesSep 17–Oct 22

WaterlooSep 19–Oct 24

Council BluffsSep 30–Nov 4

DubuqueSep 30–Nov 4

UrbandaleSep 27–Nov 1

MarionSep 21–Oct 26

Cedar FallsSep 19–Oct 24

BettendorfOct 4–Nov 8

WaukeeSep 29–Nov 3

MarshalltownSep 16–Oct 21

Mason CitySep 16–Oct 21

OttumwaSep 23–Oct 28

JohnstonSep 27–Nov 1

Fort DodgeSep 17–Oct 22

ClintonSep 25–Oct 30

CoralvilleSep 27–Nov 1

BurlingtonSep 29–Nov 3

MuscatineSep 23–Oct 28

AltoonaSep 24–Oct 29

North LibertySep 27–Nov 1

Questions

When should I plant garlic in Iowa?

In Des Moines, fall planting from September 29 to November 3. Across Iowa the window opens between September 16 and October 4, depending on the local last frost.

How is this date worked out?

Plant cloves from 3 weeks before to 2 weeks after the first fall frost. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 averages for the weather station nearest each city.

More for Iowa

Garlic in other states

Frost dates for every city in Iowa