When to plant Summer squash (zucchini) in Iowa

In spring, from Apr 20 – June 1 in Burlington to May 1 – June 15 in West Des Moines.

In fall, June 1 – July 15.

USDA's earliest safe spring and latest safe fall planting dates, matched to each place's average frost dates.

Summer squash planting dates by place in Iowa
PlaceSpringFall
AltoonaMay 1 – June 15June 1 – July 15
AmesMay 1 – 30June 1 – July 15
AnkenyMay 1 – June 15June 1 – July 15
BettendorfMay 1 – June 15June 1 – July 20
BooneMay 1 – 30June 1 – July 15
BurlingtonApr 20 – June 1June 1 – July 20
CarrollMay 1 – 30June 1 – July 15
Cedar FallsMay 1 – 30June 1 – July 15
Cedar RapidsMay 1 – 30June 1 – July 15
ClintonMay 1 – June 15June 1 – July 20
CliveMay 1 – June 15June 1 – July 20
CoralvilleMay 1 – June 15June 1 – July 20
Council BluffsMay 1 – June 15June 1 – July 20
DavenportMay 1 – June 15June 1 – July 20
Des MoinesMay 1 – June 15June 1 – July 20
DubuqueMay 1 – June 15June 1 – July 20
Fort DodgeMay 1 – 30June 1 – July 15
GrimesMay 1 – June 15June 1 – July 20
IndianolaMay 1 – June 15June 1 – July 15
Iowa CityMay 1 – June 15June 1 – July 20
JohnstonMay 1 – June 15June 1 – July 20
Le MarsMay 1 – 30June 1 – July 1
MarionMay 1 – 30June 1 – July 15
MarshalltownMay 1 – 30June 1 – July 15
Mason CityMay 1 – 30June 1 – July 15
MuscatineMay 1 – June 15June 1 – July 15
NewtonMay 1 – June 15June 1 – July 20
North LibertyMay 1 – June 15June 1 – July 20
NorwalkMay 1 – June 15June 1 – July 20
OskaloosaMay 1 – June 15June 1 – July 20
OttumwaMay 1 – June 15June 1 – July 15
PellaMay 1 – June 15June 1 – July 20
Pleasant HillMay 1 – June 15June 1 – July 20
Sioux CityMay 1 – 30June 1 – July 15
SpencerMay 1 – 30June 1 – July 1
Storm LakeMay 1 – June 15June 1 – July 15
UrbandaleMay 1 – June 15June 1 – July 20
WaterlooMay 1 – 30June 1 – July 15
WaukeeMay 1 – June 15June 1 – July 20
WaverlyMay 1 – 30June 1 – July 15
West Des MoinesMay 1 – June 15June 1 – July 20

Planting dates: USDA Home and Garden Bulletin No. 9 (1967), tables 4 and 5. Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020. “—” means the place's frost date is outside the table. The full USDA table for summer squash.