When to plant potato in Iowa
Iowa spans USDA zones 5a–6a, so the right time to plant potato shifts by weeks across the state. The window to sow seed directly outdoors runs from about March 15 in Fort Madison to April 3 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 21 – April 4 |
| Cedar Rapids | 5b | April 27 | October 11 | March 30 – April 13 |
| Davenport | 5b | April 19 | October 22 | March 22 – April 5 |
| Sioux City | 5a | April 29 | October 7 | April 1 – April 15 |
| Iowa City | 5b | April 21 | October 18 | March 24 – April 7 |
| Ankeny | 5b | April 23 | October 15 | March 26 – April 9 |
| West Des Moines | 5b | April 18 | October 20 | March 21 – April 4 |
| Ames | 5b | April 26 | October 8 | March 29 – April 12 |
Potato in Iowa: FAQ
When can I plant potato in Iowa?
Across Iowa, the time to direct-sow potato spans roughly March 15 in Fort Madison to April 3 in Spencer, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the potato planting date vary across Iowa?
Yes. Iowa publishes 42 cities with their own frost dates, so the right potato 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 potato take to grow in Iowa?
Potato takes about 70–120 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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