When to plant potatoes in Iowa

Potatoes
Sow outdoors 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.

Sow outdoors, Des Moines
Mar 21–Apr 4
Last frost, Des Moines
Apr 18

Sow outdoors 2–4 weeks before the last frost. Plant seed potatoes once the soil reaches about 45°F. Shoots that come up before the last frost can be covered with soil.

Potatoes 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 potatoes in Iowa?

In Des Moines, sow outdoors 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?

Sow outdoors 2–4 weeks before the last frost. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 averages for the weather station nearest each city.

More for Iowa

Potatoes in other states

Frost dates for every city in Iowa