FrostCal

When to Plant Tomatoes in Iowa

In a typical Iowa location, start seeds indoors Feb 24 – Mar 10, then transplant outdoors Apr 28 – May 5. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 17 in Keokuk and as late as May 10 in Grinnell.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 60–85 days

Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.

Tomatoes Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplant
Des MoinesFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 25 – May 2
Cedar RapidsMar 3 – Mar 17May 5 – May 12
DavenportFeb 22 – Mar 8Apr 26 – May 3
Sioux CityMar 4 – Mar 18May 6 – May 13
Iowa CityFeb 24 – Mar 10Apr 28 – May 5
WaterlooMar 2 – Mar 16May 4 – May 11
AmesMar 1 – Mar 15May 3 – May 10
West Des MoinesFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 25 – May 2
Council BluffsFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 25 – May 2
DubuqueFeb 22 – Mar 8Apr 26 – May 3
AnkenyFeb 26 – Mar 12Apr 30 – May 7
UrbandaleFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 25 – May 2
Cedar FallsMar 2 – Mar 16May 4 – May 11
MarionMar 3 – Mar 17May 5 – May 12
BettendorfFeb 22 – Mar 8Apr 26 – May 3
MarshalltownMar 3 – Mar 17May 5 – May 12
Mason CityMar 4 – Mar 18May 6 – May 13
ClintonFeb 16 – Mar 2Apr 20 – Apr 27
BurlingtonFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 22 – Apr 29
Fort DodgeMar 3 – Mar 17May 5 – May 12
OttumwaFeb 26 – Mar 12Apr 30 – May 7
MuscatineFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 25 – May 2
JohnstonFeb 22 – Mar 8Apr 26 – May 3
CoralvilleFeb 24 – Mar 10Apr 28 – May 5
WaukeeFeb 22 – Mar 8Apr 26 – May 3
AltoonaFeb 24 – Mar 10Apr 28 – May 5
North LibertyFeb 24 – Mar 10Apr 28 – May 5
IndianolaFeb 27 – Mar 13May 1 – May 8
CliveFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 25 – May 2
NewtonFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 29 – May 6

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 tomatoes in Iowa?

In a typical Iowa location, start seeds indoors Feb 24 – Mar 10, then transplant outdoors Apr 28 – May 5. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 17 in Keokuk and as late as May 10 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 tomatoes take to grow?

Tomatoes typically take 60–85 days from planting to harvest. Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.

Other Crops in Iowa

When to plant tomatoes in other states

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