Explore LibraryStart free trial
← Plant Library

When to Plant Mint in Iowa

Iowa spans USDA hardiness 4b to 6a (zones 4b to 6a on this page). Plant mint by your local frost date, not the calendar — pick your zone below for exact start-indoors, transplant, and harvest dates.

Jump to: Zone 4b · Zone 5a · Zone 5b · Zone 6a

Mint planting calendar for Iowa, Zone 4b

Average last spring frost

May 10

Average first fall frost

September 25

🌿

Direct sow

May 24

🌾

Projected first harvest

Jul 23

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
🌱 Start indoors🌿 Growing outside🌾 HarvestTodayZone 4b (approximate)

Most mint mature in about 60 days. Full zone 4 guide (both 4a and 4b) →

Mint planting calendar for Iowa, Zone 5a

Average last spring frost

May 5

Average first fall frost

October 1

🌿

Direct sow

May 19

🌾

Projected first harvest

Jul 18

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
🌱 Start indoors🌿 Growing outside🌾 HarvestTodayZone 5a (approximate)

Most mint mature in about 60 days. Full zone 5 guide (both 5a and 5b) →

Mint planting calendar for Iowa, Zone 5b

Average last spring frost

April 30

Average first fall frost

October 5

🌿

Direct sow

May 14

🌾

Projected first harvest

Jul 13

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
🌱 Start indoors🌿 Growing outside🌾 HarvestTodayZone 5b (approximate)

Most mint mature in about 60 days. Full zone 5 guide (both 5a and 5b) →

Mint planting calendar for Iowa, Zone 6a

Average last spring frost

April 25

Average first fall frost

October 10

🌿

Direct sow

May 9

🌾

Projected first harvest

Jul 8

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
🌱 Start indoors🌿 Growing outside🌾 HarvestTodayZone 6a (approximate)

Most mint mature in about 60 days. Full zone 6 guide (both 6a and 6b) →

Not sure which half-zone you're in? Set your ZIP in HomeSown for dates tuned to your exact location.

Varieties to grow

7 varieties of mint in the HomeSown library. Tap any for its full grow guide.

🌱 Grow mint with a calendar built for your exact yard

HomeSown turns your ZIP code into a personalized planting calendar, watering reminders, and pest help. Free to start.

Start your free garden →