When to Plant Peas in Iowa
In a typical Iowa location, sow outdoors Mar 10 – Mar 24. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Feb 27 in Keokuk and as late as Mar 22 in Grinnell.
Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked.
Peas Planting Dates by City
| City | Direct sow |
|---|---|
| Des Moines | Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Cedar Rapids | Mar 17 – Mar 31 |
| Davenport | Mar 8 – Mar 22 |
| Sioux City | Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Iowa City | Mar 10 – Mar 24 |
| Waterloo | Mar 16 – Mar 30 |
| Ames | Mar 15 – Mar 29 |
| West Des Moines | Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Council Bluffs | Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Dubuque | Mar 8 – Mar 22 |
| Ankeny | Mar 12 – Mar 26 |
| Urbandale | Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Cedar Falls | Mar 16 – Mar 30 |
| Marion | Mar 17 – Mar 31 |
| Bettendorf | Mar 8 – Mar 22 |
| Marshalltown | Mar 17 – Mar 31 |
| Mason City | Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Clinton | Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Burlington | Mar 4 – Mar 18 |
| Fort Dodge | Mar 17 – Mar 31 |
| Ottumwa | Mar 12 – Mar 26 |
| Muscatine | Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Johnston | Mar 8 – Mar 22 |
| Coralville | Mar 10 – Mar 24 |
| Waukee | Mar 8 – Mar 22 |
| Altoona | Mar 10 – Mar 24 |
| North Liberty | Mar 10 – Mar 24 |
| Indianola | Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Clive | Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Newton | Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
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 peas in Iowa?
In a typical Iowa location, sow outdoors Mar 10 – Mar 24. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Feb 27 in Keokuk and as late as Mar 22 in Grinnell.
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 peas take to grow?
Peas typically take 55–70 days from planting to harvest. Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked.
Other Crops in Iowa
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Eggplant
- Cucumbers
- Zucchini
- Winter Squash
- Pumpkins
- Watermelon
- Cantaloupe
- Corn
- Green Beans
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Kale
- Arugula
- Swiss Chard
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Cabbage
- Brussels Sprouts
- Carrots
- Beets
- Radishes
- Turnips
- Onions
- Garlic
- Potatoes
- Sweet Potatoes
- Asparagus
- Basil
- Cilantro
- Parsley
- Dill
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Sunflowers
- Zinnias
- Marigolds
- Cosmos
- Nasturtiums
- Dahlias
When to plant peas in other states