My Planting Calendar

What to plant in October in Iowa

In Iowa (IA), the average first fall frost (October 8) has passed by mid-October. The state averages 166 frost-free days a year (last frost April 25, first frost October 8; USDA zones 4b, 5a, 5b).

2 crops have a sowing or planting window this month: shallot, garlic.

Dates here come from Iowa frost dates (last frost Apr 25, first frost Oct 8). For one crop in detail, see when to plant garlic, tomato or lettuce in Iowa.

After the first frostSow or plant: 2Start indoors: 0Harvesting: 38

Iowa: planting activity through the year

1
24
65
78
66
14
25
29
3
2
1
0
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: Apr 25 – Oct 8
Bars count the vegetables, herbs and fruit with a sowing or planting window in each month, from the state’s average frost dates. 2 have one in October; the busiest month is April (78).

For fall and winter harvests (2)

Sowings counted back from Iowa's first fall frost, so the crop matures before the cold - or, for garlic and similar, planted after it.

CropWhat to doWindowThis month
ShallotPlant in fall (after first frost)Oct 12 – Oct 29Oct 12 – Oct 29
GarlicPlant in fall (after first frost)Oct 19 – Nov 5Opens Oct 19

Harvesting in October

First harvests expected this month from crops sown or planted on time earlier in the season.

Luffa (Loofah Gourd) · Aug 7 – Oct 6Cucumber · Aug 25 – Oct 1Broccoli · Aug 28 – Oct 9Cauliflower · Aug 28 – Oct 14Cabbage · Aug 28 – Oct 24Kale · Sep 1 – Oct 3Lettuce · Sep 2 – Oct 19Brussels Sprouts · Sep 6 – Oct 23Chayote · Sep 6 – Oct 6Bok Choy / Pak Choi · Sep 7 – Oct 9Mizuna · Sep 7 – Oct 4Swiss Chard · Sep 8 – Oct 5Napa Cabbage · Sep 8 – Oct 20Mustard Greens · Sep 9 – Oct 11Fennel (Bulb) · Sep 9 – Oct 21Cilantro / Coriander · Sep 10 – Oct 22Carrot · Sep 11 – Oct 18Radicchio · Sep 11 – Nov 7Dill · Sep 12 – Oct 19Rapini (Broccoli Raab) · Sep 12 – Oct 19Pea · Sep 13 – Oct 15Collard Greens · Sep 13 – Oct 20Tatsoi · Sep 14 – Oct 16Beet · Sep 15 – Oct 22Radish · Sep 15 – Oct 10Spinach · Sep 16 – Oct 11Arugula · Sep 16 – Oct 13Kohlrabi · Sep 17 – Oct 19Mache (Corn Salad) · Sep 17 – Oct 19Turnip · Sep 19 – Oct 26Chervil · Sep 19 – Oct 26Rutabaga · Sep 20 – Oct 17Borage · Sep 27 – Nov 3Parsley · Sep 28 – Nov 4Green Onion / Scallion · Oct 2 – Nov 8Watercress · Oct 6 – Nov 2Endive & Escarole · Oct 13 – Nov 14Fava Bean (Broad Bean) · Oct 17 – Nov 18

Planting dates for popular crops in Iowa

Every crop has its own full-year dates for Iowa: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.

When to plant garlic in Iowa →When to plant tomato in Iowa →When to plant lettuce in Iowa →When to plant bell pepper in Iowa →When to plant carrot in Iowa →When to plant onion in Iowa →When to plant pea in Iowa →When to plant spinach in Iowa →Iowa frost dates by zone →

Spring bulbs to plant in October in Iowa

October is ideal. September can make tulips send up leaves in fall. Procrastinators can plant as late as December if the ground is not frozen. (Iowa State University Extension) ↗

Bulb planting guide by state, with depth and spacing →When to plant daffodils →When to plant tulips →

After the first frost: October garden jobs in Iowa

  1. The average first frost (October 8) has passed - pull frost-killed tender plants and compost the healthy ones; bin or burn anything that had blight or mildew.
  2. Plant garlic now (Oct 19 – Nov 5): single cloves, pointy end up, 2 inches deep and 6 inches apart, then mulch.
  3. Leave cold-hardy roots (carrots, parsnips, leeks) in the ground under a thick mulch and dig them as needed.
  4. Clean and oil tools, drain hoses, and note what worked this year while you still remember - it makes next year's plan far easier.

USDA zone chart for Iowa

Iowa spans USDA zones 4b, 5a, 5b. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average.

ZoneLast frostFirst frostSeason
Zone 4May 10Sep 25135 days
Zone 5Apr 30Oct 5160 days

Questions gardeners ask

What vegetables can I plant in Iowa in October?

2 crops have a window in October: shallot, garlic. The tables above give the exact dates for each.

Is it too late to plant garlic in Iowa in October?

No - plant in fall (after first frost) runs Oct 19 – Nov 5 in Iowa.

Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Iowa in October?

For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Iowa have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about February 28.

When is the first frost in Iowa?

The statewide average first fall frost is around October 8 and the last spring frost around April 25. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.

What can I harvest in Iowa in October?

From plantings made on time: luffa (loofah gourd), cucumber, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, lettuce, brussels sprouts, chayote, bok choy / pak choi.

When should I plant spring bulbs in Iowa?

October is ideal. September can make tulips send up leaves in fall. Procrastinators can plant as late as December if the ground is not frozen. (Iowa State University Extension). See the bulb planting guide for depth and spacing.

← September in IowaNovember in Iowa →Full-year Iowa planting calendar →Iowa frost dates →

What to plant in October in other states

IllinoisIndianaMichiganMinnesotaMissouriOhioWisconsinAlabamaAll states →

Dates are computed from Iowa’s statewide average frost dates (from NOAA/NCEI climate normals) and each crop’s timing in our crop database. Your garden may be a week or two either side - for dates tuned to your ZIP code, use the planting calendar.