FrostCal

When to Plant Cabbage in Iowa

In a typical Iowa location, start seeds indoors Mar 3 – Mar 17, then transplant outdoors Mar 24 – Apr 7. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 13 in Keokuk and as late as Apr 5 in Grinnell. For a fall crop, plant around Aug 8 – Aug 22.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 60–100 days

Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost.

Cabbage Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplantFall planting
Des MoinesFeb 28 – Mar 14Mar 21 – Apr 4Aug 11 – Aug 25
Cedar RapidsMar 10 – Mar 24Mar 31 – Apr 14Aug 3 – Aug 17
DavenportMar 1 – Mar 15Mar 22 – Apr 5Aug 13 – Aug 27
Sioux CityMar 11 – Mar 25Apr 1 – Apr 15Jul 29 – Aug 12
Iowa CityMar 3 – Mar 17Mar 24 – Apr 7Aug 9 – Aug 23
WaterlooMar 9 – Mar 23Mar 30 – Apr 13Aug 1 – Aug 15
AmesMar 8 – Mar 22Mar 29 – Apr 12Jul 30 – Aug 13
West Des MoinesFeb 28 – Mar 14Mar 21 – Apr 4Aug 11 – Aug 25
Council BluffsFeb 28 – Mar 14Mar 21 – Apr 4Aug 12 – Aug 26
DubuqueMar 1 – Mar 15Mar 22 – Apr 5Aug 12 – Aug 26
AnkenyMar 5 – Mar 19Mar 26 – Apr 9Aug 6 – Aug 20
UrbandaleFeb 28 – Mar 14Mar 21 – Apr 4Aug 11 – Aug 25
Cedar FallsMar 9 – Mar 23Mar 30 – Apr 13Aug 1 – Aug 15
MarionMar 10 – Mar 24Mar 31 – Apr 14Aug 3 – Aug 17
BettendorfMar 1 – Mar 15Mar 22 – Apr 5Aug 13 – Aug 27
MarshalltownMar 10 – Mar 24Mar 31 – Apr 14Jul 29 – Aug 12
Mason CityMar 11 – Mar 25Apr 1 – Apr 15Jul 29 – Aug 12
ClintonFeb 23 – Mar 9Mar 16 – Mar 30Aug 17 – Aug 31
BurlingtonFeb 25 – Mar 11Mar 18 – Apr 1Aug 11 – Aug 25
Fort DodgeMar 10 – Mar 24Mar 31 – Apr 14Jul 30 – Aug 13
OttumwaMar 5 – Mar 19Mar 26 – Apr 9Aug 5 – Aug 19
MuscatineFeb 28 – Mar 14Mar 21 – Apr 4Aug 15 – Aug 29
JohnstonMar 1 – Mar 15Mar 22 – Apr 5Aug 9 – Aug 23
CoralvilleMar 3 – Mar 17Mar 24 – Apr 7Aug 9 – Aug 23
WaukeeMar 1 – Mar 15Mar 22 – Apr 5Aug 9 – Aug 23
AltoonaMar 3 – Mar 17Mar 24 – Apr 7Aug 6 – Aug 20
North LibertyMar 3 – Mar 17Mar 24 – Apr 7Aug 9 – Aug 23
IndianolaMar 6 – Mar 20Mar 27 – Apr 10Aug 3 – Aug 17
CliveFeb 28 – Mar 14Mar 21 – Apr 4Aug 11 – Aug 25
NewtonMar 4 – Mar 18Mar 25 – Apr 8Aug 8 – 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 cabbage in Iowa?

In a typical Iowa location, start seeds indoors Mar 3 – Mar 17, then transplant outdoors Mar 24 – Apr 7. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 13 in Keokuk and as late as Apr 5 in Grinnell. For a fall crop, plant around Aug 8 – 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 cabbage take to grow?

Cabbage typically take 60–100 days from planting to harvest. Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost.

Other Crops in Iowa

When to plant cabbage in other states

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