What Can Grow in Iowa (IA)

Iowa's deep black prairie soils are among the most fertile in the world - excellent for vegetables and small fruits.

Iowa spans USDA zones 4b to 5b. The primary zone is 5a, with a growing season of 145 days. Top crops include tomatoes, sweet corn, beans, peas.

5aPrimary Zone
145 daysAvg Growing Season
3Zones Present
6Cities Covered
🗺️ Hardiness Zones in Iowa
4b5a5b
🥕 Top Vegetables
tomatoessweet cornbeanspeasbroccoli
🍎 Top Fruits
applesstrawberriesraspberriesgooseberriescurrants
🌸 Top Flowers
coneflowersblack-eyed Susansprairie blazing starmarigolds
🌳 Top Trees
bur oaksilver mapleAmerican elmblack walnut
🌤️ Climate Summary

Humid continental. Cold winters and warm humid summers. Spring can be wet; summer drought possible.

🌱
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🏙️ Cities in Iowa
Des Moines
Zone 5a
Cedar Rapids
Zone 5a
Davenport
Zone 5b
Sioux City
Zone 5a
Iowa City
Zone 5a
Waterloo
Zone 4b

Frequently Asked Questions

Iowa spans USDA hardiness zones 4b, 5a, 5b. The most common zone across the state is 5a. Humid continental. Cold winters and warm humid summers. Spring can be wet; summer drought possible.

In Iowa, excellent vegetables to grow include tomatoes, sweet corn, beans, peas, broccoli. The growing season of 145 days allows for a productive single season.

Iowa is well suited for growing apples, strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, currants. Always choose varieties rated for your specific local zone.

Iowa's growing season averages 145 days. Humid continental. Cold winters and warm humid summers. Spring can be wet; summer drought possible. Check your specific city or zone page for precise last-frost and first-frost dates.