When to plant napa cabbage in Iowa
Iowa spans USDA zones 5a–6a, so the right time to plant napa cabbage shifts by weeks across the state. The window to transplant seedlings outdoors runs from about March 29 in Fort Madison to April 17 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 | April 4 – April 18 |
| Cedar Rapids | 5b | April 27 | October 11 | April 13 – April 27 |
| Davenport | 5b | April 19 | October 22 | April 5 – April 19 |
| Sioux City | 5a | April 29 | October 7 | April 15 – April 29 |
| Iowa City | 5b | April 21 | October 18 | April 7 – April 21 |
| Ankeny | 5b | April 23 | October 15 | April 9 – April 23 |
| West Des Moines | 5b | April 18 | October 20 | April 4 – April 18 |
| Ames | 5b | April 26 | October 8 | April 12 – April 26 |
Napa Cabbage in Iowa: FAQ
When can I plant napa cabbage in Iowa?
Across Iowa, the time to transplant napa cabbage spans roughly March 29 in Fort Madison to April 17 in Spencer, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the napa cabbage planting date vary across Iowa?
Yes. Iowa publishes 42 cities with their own frost dates, so the right napa cabbage 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 napa cabbage take to grow in Iowa?
Napa Cabbage takes about 70–85 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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