When to plant sweet potato in Iowa
Iowa spans USDA zones 5a–6a, so the right time to plant sweet potato shifts by weeks across the state. The window to transplant seedlings outdoors runs from about May 3 in Fort Madison to May 22 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 | May 9 – May 23 |
| Cedar Rapids | 5b | April 27 | October 11 | May 18 – June 1 |
| Davenport | 5b | April 19 | October 22 | May 10 – May 24 |
| Sioux City | 5a | April 29 | October 7 | May 20 – June 3 |
| Iowa City | 5b | April 21 | October 18 | May 12 – May 26 |
| Ankeny | 5b | April 23 | October 15 | May 14 – May 28 |
| West Des Moines | 5b | April 18 | October 20 | May 9 – May 23 |
| Ames | 5b | April 26 | October 8 | May 17 – May 31 |
Sweet Potato in Iowa: FAQ
When can I plant sweet potato in Iowa?
Across Iowa, the time to transplant sweet potato spans roughly May 3 in Fort Madison to May 22 in Spencer, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the sweet potato planting date vary across Iowa?
Yes. Iowa publishes 42 cities with their own frost dates, so the right sweet 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 sweet potato take to grow in Iowa?
Sweet Potato takes about 90–120 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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