When to plant escarole in Iowa
Iowa spans USDA zones 5a–6a, so the right time to plant escarole shifts by weeks across the state. The window to transplant seedlings 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 | Transplant out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | 5b | April 18 | October 20 | March 28 – April 18 |
| Cedar Rapids | 5b | April 27 | October 11 | April 6 – April 27 |
| Davenport | 5b | April 19 | October 22 | March 29 – April 19 |
| Sioux City | 5a | April 29 | October 7 | April 8 – April 29 |
| Iowa City | 5b | April 21 | October 18 | March 31 – April 21 |
| Ankeny | 5b | April 23 | October 15 | April 2 – April 23 |
| West Des Moines | 5b | April 18 | October 20 | March 28 – April 18 |
| Ames | 5b | April 26 | October 8 | April 5 – April 26 |
Escarole in Iowa: FAQ
When can I plant escarole in Iowa?
Across Iowa, the time to transplant escarole spans roughly March 22 in Fort Madison to April 10 in Spencer, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the escarole planting date vary across Iowa?
Yes. Iowa publishes 42 cities with their own frost dates, so the right escarole 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 escarole take to grow in Iowa?
Escarole takes about 80–100 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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