Vegetable Planting Calendar: Cedar Rapids, Iowa


Cedar Rapids, Iowa is located in USDA Hardiness Zone 5. Planting vegetable seeds or transplants at the correct time is important for getting the most out of your garden. Knowing your first and last frost dates will help you start your vegetable seeds at the right time.
 
Iowa’s USDA Hardiness Zones range from 4 to 6, making it ideal for cool-weather crops. Iowa’s zones begin with zone 4 in a small patch in both the northwest and northeast corners of the state. Zone 5 takes over from there, taking up a larger portion of the remaining state. However, zone 6 is present in the southernmost tip of the state. First frost dates begin as early as the end of September in areas such as Sioux City, and frost dates can hold out as late as the first week of May. Cedar Rapids first frost date is 9/29 and its last frost date is 5/8.
 
Use your last and first frost dates below to calculate your planting schedules.
 
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Cedar Rapids, Iowa: Zone 5

Spring Last Frost Date: 5/8

Fall First Frost Date: 9/29

  Spring: Start Seeds Indoors Spring: Direct Sow/Transplant Fall: Start Seeds Indoors Fall: Direct Sow/Transplant
Artichokes 3/13 5/8    
Beans Direct Sow 5/8    
Beets 3/13 4/24 Direct Sow 7/21
Broccoli 3/13 4/24 6/11 7/11
Brussels Sprouts 3/13 4/24 5/2 6/1
Cabbage 2/27 4/10 6/3 7/1
Carrots Direct Sow 4/17 Direct Sow 7/5
Cauliflower 3/13 4/24 6/11 7/11
Celery 2/20 5/15 5/12 6/9
Chard 3/13 4/24 Direct Sow 7/26
Collards 3/6 4/10 6/4 7/4
Corn Direct Sow 5/15    
Cucumbers Direct Sow 5/8    
Eggplant 3/27 5/22    
Gourds Direct Sow 5/22    
Kale 2/27 4/10 Direct Sow 7/6
Kohlrabi 2/27 4/10 Direct Sow 7/31
Leek 2/13 4/24 5/7 6/11
Lettuce 2/15 4/10 6/21 7/21
Melons Direct Sow 5/22    
Okra 3/27 5/22    
Onions 1/30 4/10 6/11 7/21
Peas Direct Sow 3/13 Direct Sow 6/21
Peppers 3/13 5/15    
Pumpkins Direct Sow 5/22    
Radishes Direct Sow 4/3 Direct Sow 8/20
Spinach 2/20 3/27 7/11 8/3
Squash 4/24 5/22    
Tomatoes 3/20 5/15    
Turnips Direct Sow 4/3 Direct Sow 7/31
Watermelon 4/24 5/22    

Download as a pdf: When to Plant in Cedar Rapids

*Planting dates are based on past weather data. There is a 10% chance that you will have a frost outside of the range above. Watch local weather for more accurate frost dates. These are the recommended vegetable planting dates. If you have any questions about the calendar dates please give us a call. Urban Farmer offers a large selection of vegetable seeds to gardeners and farmers throughout the United States.