When to plant peas in Iowa
Iowa spans USDA zones 5a–6a, so the right time to plant peas shifts by weeks across the state. The window to sow seed directly outdoors runs from about March 1 in Fort Madison to March 20 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 7 – April 4 |
| Cedar Rapids | 5b | April 27 | October 11 | March 16 – April 13 |
| Davenport | 5b | April 19 | October 22 | March 8 – April 5 |
| Sioux City | 5a | April 29 | October 7 | March 18 – April 15 |
| Iowa City | 5b | April 21 | October 18 | March 10 – April 7 |
| Ankeny | 5b | April 23 | October 15 | March 12 – April 9 |
| West Des Moines | 5b | April 18 | October 20 | March 7 – April 4 |
| Ames | 5b | April 26 | October 8 | March 15 – April 12 |
Peas in Iowa: FAQ
When can I plant peas in Iowa?
Across Iowa, the time to direct-sow peas spans roughly March 1 in Fort Madison to March 20 in Spencer, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the peas planting date vary across Iowa?
Yes. Iowa publishes 42 cities with their own frost dates, so the right peas 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 peas take to grow in Iowa?
Peas takes about 55–70 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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