Winter wheat Planting Dates in Iowa

Usual winter wheat planting and harvest periods in Iowa, shown as ranges with their source. Use them to frame a plan, then adjust for your own frost dates and soil temperature.

Winter wheat dates in Iowa
Activity	Window	Source	Last verified
Planting	Sep 6 to Oct 30 usual (most active Sep 26 to Oct 15)	source	2026-11-11
Harvest	Jun 24 to Aug 7 usual (most active Jul 6 to Jul 22)	source	2026-11-11

Winter wheat calendar for Iowa
Item	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Planting									Planting window, most active in September	Planting window, most active in October
Harvest						Harvest window in June	Harvest window, most active in July	Harvest window in August

What these dates mean in Iowa

Planting usually runs about 55 days, from Sep 6 to Oct 30.

That start date is about 11 days earlier than the middle of the 42 places in this data set that report winter wheat planting dates (Sep 17).

Harvest usually runs about 45 days, from Jun 24 to Aug 7.

From the start of the planting window to the start of the harvest window is about 291 days in Iowa, a rough guide to how long the crop occupies the bed or field.

Frost-date caveat: these are published ranges for Iowa. A northern or high-elevation site will run later than a southern or low one, and a cold wet spring can push planting past the window. Frost dates and local conditions vary; NASS state-level usual dates from 20-year progress data (Oct 2010 edition), begin ~5% and end ~95% complete. Check your last spring frost and soil temperature, and confirm with your county extension office.

Related guides

Winter wheat dates in other places

Other crops in Iowa

Last reviewed: November 2026. Source: USDA NASS, Field Crops Usual Planting and Harvesting Dates (October 2010 edition, copy hosted by Cornell University Mann Library). Dates are the usual start and end of the period when about 5% to 95% of the crop is planted or harvested, from long-run state progress data. They are historic averages, not a forecast.