When to plant rhubarb in Iowa
Iowa spans USDA zones 5a–6a, so the right time to plant rhubarb shifts by weeks across the state. The window to transplant seedlings 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 | Transplant out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Rhubarb in Iowa: FAQ
When can I plant rhubarb in Iowa?
Across Iowa, the time to transplant rhubarb spans roughly March 1 in Fort Madison to March 20 in Spencer, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the rhubarb planting date vary across Iowa?
Yes. Iowa publishes 42 cities with their own frost dates, so the right rhubarb planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
Never miss a window in your area
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to your frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.