When to plant Rhubarb in Iowa

In spring, from Mar 1 – Apr 1 in Burlington to Mar 20 – Apr 15 in Waverly.

In fall, from Oct 1 – Nov 1 in Le Mars to Oct 15 – Dec 1 in West Des Moines.

Dates are for setting out plants. USDA's earliest safe spring and latest safe fall planting dates, matched to each place's average frost dates.

Rhubarb planting dates by place in Iowa
PlaceSpringFall
AltoonaMar 10 – Apr 10Oct 15 – Nov 15Now
AmesMar 20 – Apr 15Oct 15 – Nov 15Now
AnkenyMar 10 – Apr 10Oct 15 – Nov 15Now
BettendorfMar 10 – Apr 10Oct 15 – Dec 1Now
BooneMar 20 – Apr 15Oct 15 – Nov 15Now
BurlingtonMar 1 – Apr 1Oct 15 – Dec 1Now
CarrollMar 20 – Apr 15Oct 15 – Nov 15Now
Cedar FallsMar 20 – Apr 15Oct 15 – Nov 15Now
Cedar RapidsMar 20 – Apr 15Oct 15 – Nov 15Now
ClintonMar 10 – Apr 10Oct 15 – Dec 1Now
CliveMar 10 – Apr 10Oct 15 – Dec 1Now
CoralvilleMar 10 – Apr 10Oct 15 – Dec 1Now
Council BluffsMar 10 – Apr 10Oct 15 – Dec 1Now
DavenportMar 10 – Apr 10Oct 15 – Dec 1Now
Des MoinesMar 10 – Apr 10Oct 15 – Dec 1Now
DubuqueMar 10 – Apr 10Oct 15 – Dec 1Now
Fort DodgeMar 20 – Apr 15Oct 15 – Nov 15Now
GrimesMar 10 – Apr 10Oct 15 – Dec 1Now
IndianolaMar 10 – Apr 10Oct 15 – Nov 15Now
Iowa CityMar 10 – Apr 10Oct 15 – Dec 1Now
JohnstonMar 10 – Apr 10Oct 15 – Dec 1Now
Le MarsMar 20 – Apr 15Oct 1 – Nov 1Now
MarionMar 20 – Apr 15Oct 15 – Nov 15Now
MarshalltownMar 20 – Apr 15Oct 15 – Nov 15Now
Mason CityMar 20 – Apr 15Oct 15 – Nov 15Now
MuscatineMar 10 – Apr 10Oct 15 – Nov 15Now
NewtonMar 10 – Apr 10Oct 15 – Dec 1Now
North LibertyMar 10 – Apr 10Oct 15 – Dec 1Now
NorwalkMar 10 – Apr 10Oct 15 – Dec 1Now
OskaloosaMar 10 – Apr 10Oct 15 – Dec 1Now
OttumwaMar 10 – Apr 10Oct 15 – Nov 15Now
PellaMar 10 – Apr 10Oct 15 – Dec 1Now
Pleasant HillMar 10 – Apr 10Oct 15 – Dec 1Now
Sioux CityMar 20 – Apr 15Oct 15 – Nov 15Now
SpencerMar 20 – Apr 15Oct 1 – Nov 1Now
Storm LakeMar 10 – Apr 10Oct 15 – Nov 15Now
UrbandaleMar 10 – Apr 10Oct 15 – Dec 1Now
WaterlooMar 20 – Apr 15Oct 15 – Nov 15Now
WaukeeMar 10 – Apr 10Oct 15 – Dec 1Now
WaverlyMar 20 – Apr 15Oct 15 – Nov 15Now
West Des MoinesMar 10 – Apr 10Oct 15 – Dec 1Now

Planting dates: USDA Home and Garden Bulletin No. 9 (1967), tables 4 and 5. Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020. The full USDA table for rhubarb.