FrostCal

When to Plant Broccoli in Iowa

In a typical Iowa location, start seeds indoors Mar 3 – Mar 17, then transplant outdoors Mar 31 – Apr 7. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 20 in Keokuk and as late as Apr 12 in Grinnell. For a fall crop, plant around Aug 15 – Aug 22.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 55–80 days

Start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost; transplant out 2-3 weeks before last frost (hardens off to light frost).

Broccoli Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplantFall planting
Des MoinesFeb 28 – Mar 14Mar 28 – Apr 4Aug 18 – Aug 25
Cedar RapidsMar 10 – Mar 24Apr 7 – Apr 14Aug 10 – Aug 17
DavenportMar 1 – Mar 15Mar 29 – Apr 5Aug 20 – Aug 27
Sioux CityMar 11 – Mar 25Apr 8 – Apr 15Aug 5 – Aug 12
Iowa CityMar 3 – Mar 17Mar 31 – Apr 7Aug 16 – Aug 23
WaterlooMar 9 – Mar 23Apr 6 – Apr 13Aug 8 – Aug 15
AmesMar 8 – Mar 22Apr 5 – Apr 12Aug 6 – Aug 13
West Des MoinesFeb 28 – Mar 14Mar 28 – Apr 4Aug 18 – Aug 25
Council BluffsFeb 28 – Mar 14Mar 28 – Apr 4Aug 19 – Aug 26
DubuqueMar 1 – Mar 15Mar 29 – Apr 5Aug 19 – Aug 26
AnkenyMar 5 – Mar 19Apr 2 – Apr 9Aug 13 – Aug 20
UrbandaleFeb 28 – Mar 14Mar 28 – Apr 4Aug 18 – Aug 25
Cedar FallsMar 9 – Mar 23Apr 6 – Apr 13Aug 8 – Aug 15
MarionMar 10 – Mar 24Apr 7 – Apr 14Aug 10 – Aug 17
BettendorfMar 1 – Mar 15Mar 29 – Apr 5Aug 20 – Aug 27
MarshalltownMar 10 – Mar 24Apr 7 – Apr 14Aug 5 – Aug 12
Mason CityMar 11 – Mar 25Apr 8 – Apr 15Aug 5 – Aug 12
ClintonFeb 23 – Mar 9Mar 23 – Mar 30Aug 24 – Aug 31
BurlingtonFeb 25 – Mar 11Mar 25 – Apr 1Aug 18 – Aug 25
Fort DodgeMar 10 – Mar 24Apr 7 – Apr 14Aug 6 – Aug 13
OttumwaMar 5 – Mar 19Apr 2 – Apr 9Aug 12 – Aug 19
MuscatineFeb 28 – Mar 14Mar 28 – Apr 4Aug 22 – Aug 29
JohnstonMar 1 – Mar 15Mar 29 – Apr 5Aug 16 – Aug 23
CoralvilleMar 3 – Mar 17Mar 31 – Apr 7Aug 16 – Aug 23
WaukeeMar 1 – Mar 15Mar 29 – Apr 5Aug 16 – Aug 23
AltoonaMar 3 – Mar 17Mar 31 – Apr 7Aug 13 – Aug 20
North LibertyMar 3 – Mar 17Mar 31 – Apr 7Aug 16 – Aug 23
IndianolaMar 6 – Mar 20Apr 3 – Apr 10Aug 10 – Aug 17
CliveFeb 28 – Mar 14Mar 28 – Apr 4Aug 18 – Aug 25
NewtonMar 4 – Mar 18Apr 1 – Apr 8Aug 15 – Aug 22

Showing the 30 most populous of 45 Iowa cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Iowa cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant broccoli in Iowa?

In a typical Iowa location, start seeds indoors Mar 3 – Mar 17, then transplant outdoors Mar 31 – Apr 7. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 20 in Keokuk and as late as Apr 12 in Grinnell. For a fall crop, plant around Aug 15 – Aug 22.

When is the last frost in Iowa?

The average last spring frost in Iowa ranges from April 10 in Keokuk to May 3 in Grinnell, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do broccoli take to grow?

Broccoli typically take 55–80 days from planting to harvest. Start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost; transplant out 2-3 weeks before last frost (hardens off to light frost).

Other Crops in Iowa

When to plant broccoli in other states

Related Guides