When to plant in Ankeny, IA
USDA Zone 5bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Ankeny, Iowa — all computed from Ankeny's nearest NOAA weather station.
In zone 5b, Ankeny gardeners can grow many hardy perennials, while the last and first frost still dictate the annual vegetable calendar.
Frost probability
ANKENY · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Ankeny’s own odds, recorded at ANKENY.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 16 | May 3 | Apr 19 | Sep 21 | Oct 4 | Oct 18 |
| 32°F | May 6 | Apr 23 | Apr 8 | Sep 30 | Oct 15 | Oct 28 |
| 28°F | Apr 27 | Apr 13 | Mar 31 | Oct 11 | Oct 25 | Nov 5 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Ankeny, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 22 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Ankeny planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Ankeny, IA?
On average, the last spring frost in Ankeny is around April 23 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Ankeny, IA?
The first fall frost in Ankeny typically arrives around October 15 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Ankeny in?
Ankeny is in USDA hardiness zone 5b. In zone 5b, winters are cold — pick cold-hardy varieties and protect tender crops.
How long is the growing season in Ankeny?
Ankeny has about 175 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 23) and first fall frost (October 15).
When should I plant tomatoes in Ankeny?
For Ankeny, sow tomatoes indoors about February 26–March 12 and move the seedlings out around April 30, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Ankeny
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Ankeny’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Johnston · 11 km
- Altoona · 13 km
- Pleasant Hill · 17 km
- Des Moines · 18 km
- Grimes · 18 km
- Urbandale · 18 km
- Clive · 21 km
- West Des Moines · 25 km
Frost dates recorded at ANKENY, 4 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Ankeny, IA — Frost Dates & Zone 5b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00130241. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/iowa/ankeny.