When to plant carrot in Iowa
Iowa spans USDA zones 5a–6a, so the right time to plant carrot shifts by weeks across the state. The window to sow seed directly outdoors runs from about March 22 in Fort Madison to April 10 in Spencer — below are local dates for 42 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | 5b | April 18 | October 20 | March 28 – May 9 |
| Cedar Rapids | 5b | April 27 | October 11 | April 6 – May 18 |
| Davenport | 5b | April 19 | October 22 | March 29 – May 10 |
| Sioux City | 5a | April 29 | October 7 | April 8 – May 20 |
| Iowa City | 5b | April 21 | October 18 | March 31 – May 12 |
| Ankeny | 5b | April 23 | October 15 | April 2 – May 14 |
| West Des Moines | 5b | April 18 | October 20 | March 28 – May 9 |
| Ames | 5b | April 26 | October 8 | April 5 – May 17 |
Carrot in Iowa: FAQ
When can I plant carrot in Iowa?
Across Iowa, the time to direct-sow carrot spans roughly March 22 in Fort Madison to April 10 in Spencer, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the carrot planting date vary across Iowa?
Yes. Iowa publishes 42 cities with their own frost dates, so the right carrot planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
How long does carrot take to grow in Iowa?
Carrot takes about 60–80 days to reach harvest once planted — check that this fits inside your city's frost-free season on its place page.
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