When to plant green beans in Iowa

Sow outdoors in Des Moines

Apr 25–May 16

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.

Sow outdoors 1–4 weeks after the last frost. Bush beans ripen all at once, so sow a new row every two to three weeks.

Green beans planting dates by city

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Des MoinesApr 25–May 16

Cedar RapidsMay 4–May 25

DavenportApr 26–May 17

Sioux CityMay 6–May 27

AnkenyApr 30–May 21

Iowa CityApr 28–May 19

AmesMay 3–May 24

WaterlooMay 4–May 25

Council BluffsApr 25–May 16

DubuqueApr 26–May 17

UrbandaleApr 26–May 17

MarionMay 5–May 26

Cedar FallsMay 4–May 25

BettendorfApr 23–May 14

WaukeeApr 25–May 16

MarshalltownMay 5–May 26

Mason CityMay 6–May 27

OttumwaApr 30–May 21

JohnstonApr 26–May 17

Fort DodgeMay 5–May 26

ClintonApr 29–May 20

CoralvilleApr 28–May 19

BurlingtonApr 22–May 13

MuscatineMay 1–May 22

AltoonaApr 30–May 21

North LibertyApr 28–May 19

When should I plant green beans in Iowa?

In Des Moines, sow outdoors from April 25 to May 16. Across Iowa the window opens between April 22 and May 6, depending on the local last frost.

How is this date worked out?

Sow outdoors 1–4 weeks after the last frost. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 averages for the weather station nearest each city.