When Can I Put Out My Plants In Iowa?

The weather in Iowa is a completely different animal than any other place I've been to. One day it could be sleeting at 10 A.M. and then a few hours later the sun could be shining down on you. That's what happens during a normal April here in the Hawkeye State.

April usually this is the time of year when you start to put out your flowers or plants. The "normal" time is usually right after Easter, and leading all the way up until Mother's Day. Some professionals think that we should wait a bit longer to start putting out our plants.

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It Depends on the Flower

So, when should we put our plants outside? According to Better Homes & Gardens, that depends on the plant. Plants that are usually cool season flowers like pansies, snapdragons, and pot marigolds can be put out a few weeks before the final frost hits.

Flowers that are considered more "tropical" should be put out weeks after the weather reaches a normal, warm temperature.

What About My Other Plants?

For those of you who prefer tomatoes to tulips, here's some important information that you'll need to know.

As reported in Radio Iowa, an Iowa State University horticulture specialist (try saying that ten times fast) says that if there is another drastic drop in temperature most plants will be in the clear.

This official does recommend that planting crops like tomato plants or peppers should be put off until early to mid-May. This all does depend on where in Iowa you are located. Obviously, this early May benchmark is meant for southern Iowa and the latter is for northern Iowa.