Iowa garden guides · Zone 5
Gardening in Iowa: The Complete Guide
Everything we have written for Iowa gardeners in one place: when to start seeds and plant tomatoes, how to set up raised beds, and how to get your yard, tools and lights through an Iowa winter. Each guide is built on Iowa State University Extension advice.
Photo: Alabama Extension, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons. Card photos are credited in each guide.
Iowa garden calendar at a glance
| When (central Iowa) | What to do | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Late Jan to early Apr | Start seeds indoors, slowest crops first | Seed calendar |
| Mid-April | Plant cool-season crops; raised beds warm first | Raised beds |
| Around May 10 | Plant tomatoes once soil reaches about 60°F | Tomatoes |
| After the first hard frost | Clean up beds, leave healthy stems for wildlife | Fall cleanup |
| October to early November | Plant garlic cloves 1 to 1.5 in deep | Garlic |
| Early to mid-November | Mulch and cover raised beds, store tools | Winterize beds |
Southern Iowa runs about a week earlier and northern Iowa about a week later. Dates are averages; check your local forecast.
Spring and summer
SPRING · SEEDSWhen to Start Seeds in Iowa
A crop-by-crop indoor sowing calendar for Zone 5, plus light, heat and hardening-off tips.
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SPRING · TOMATOESWhen to Plant Tomatoes in Iowa
Planting dates by region, the 60°F soil rule, spacing, stakes and watering.
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SPRING · POTATOESWhen to Plant Potatoes in Iowa
Late March to late April by region, seed potato prep, depth, hilling and harvest.
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SPRING · PEPPERSWhen to Plant Peppers in Iowa
Mid-May in central Iowa, soil and night temps, spacing and varieties.
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SPRING · RAISED BEDSWhat to Plant in a Raised Bed in Iowa
Best crops, plants per square foot, planting dates and a sample 4×8 plan.
Read the guide →RAISED BEDSBest Raised Garden Beds for Iowa
Size, height, metal vs cedar, soil mix and five beds sold by Amazon.com.
Read the guide →Fall and winter
FALL · GARLICWhen to Plant Garlic in Iowa
October to early November: depth, spacing, varieties, mulch and harvest.
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FALL · BULBSWhen to Plant Tulip Bulbs in Iowa
October timing, 6 to 8 inch depth, tulips that come back and squirrel tips.
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FALL · TENDER BULBSHow to Store Dahlias and Cannas Over Winter
Dig after a killing frost, dry, and store at 40 to 50°F, the ISU way.
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FALL · CLEANUPFall Garden Cleanup Checklist for Iowa
What to clear, what to leave, and when to do it in an Iowa yard.
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FALL · RAISED BEDSHow to Winterize Raised Garden Beds
Clear, feed, mulch and cover beds before the ground freezes.
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WINTER · TOOLSGarden Tool Storage Ideas for Iowa Winters
Clean, oil and hang every tool, hose and seed packet for winter.
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WINTER · LIGHTINGSolar Pathway Lights for Cold Climates
Why solar lights fade in winter, which batteries handle cold, and what to buy.
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WINTER · PETSBest Pet-Safe Ice Melt
What is really in ice melt, and how to protect paws, lawns and beds.
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WINTER · TOOLSBest Snow Shovel for Midwest Winters
Pusher vs scoop, back-saving features and safe shoveling tips.
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WINTER · BIRDSBest Winter Bird Feeders
Feeder types, winter seed, placement and cleaning.
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WINTER · COMPOSTBest Compost Bins for Cold Climates
Bins vs tumblers and how to keep compost going in winter.
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SPRING · SEEDSBest Seed Starting Kits for Beginners
Trays, domes, light and heat for your first seedlings.
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SPRING · LIGHTSBest Grow Lights for Seedlings
LED vs fluorescent, distance, hours and a simple setup.
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SPRING · HEATBest Seedling Heat Mats
Which seeds need bottom heat and why a thermostat matters.
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FALL · SOILBest Soil Test Kits for Home Gardens
Kit or lab, how to take a sample, and which testers actually read pH well.
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FALL · LAWNBest Broadcast Spreaders for Iowa Lawns
Broadcast vs drop, calibration, ISU fertilizing dates and six spreaders.
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FALL · LAWNWhen to Fertilize Your Lawn in Iowa
ISU spring, September and late fall schedule, nitrogen rates and a calculator.
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AUGUST · LAWNWhen to Plant Grass Seed in Iowa
Mid-August to mid-September, seed for sun and shade, rates and aftercare.
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SUMMER · PESTSJapanese Beetles in Iowa
When they appear, favorite plants, why traps backfire and what works.
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ALL YEAR · WATERBest Rain Barrels for Iowa Homes
Iowa city rebates, mosquito control, winter draining and six barrels.
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NOVEMBER · SHRUBSHow to Protect Shrubs in an Iowa Winter
Rabbit fences, burlap windbreaks, winter burn, snow and salt.
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LATE WINTER · FRUIT TREESWhen to Prune Fruit Trees in Iowa
Late February to early April: what to cut first, young and neglected apple trees, tools.
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SPRING · PLANTING DATESLast Frost Date in Iowa by City
Average and safe last frost dates for 18 Iowa cities, from ISU data.
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FALL · INDOOR PLANTSHow to Overwinter Geraniums Indoors
Potted plants, cuttings or bare-root paper bags, with ISU timing.
Read the guide →Gifts
GIFTSPractical Gifts for Gardeners in Iowa
Seven useful gift ideas backed by Iowa State Extension advice.
Read the guide →Looking for more? Browse all Lawn & Garden guides. Iowa gardeners can also ask questions through the ISU Extension Yard and Garden site.
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