Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for Ankeny, IA

Ankeny, IA is in USDA zone 5b across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost October 15.

Ankeny on the zone map

Outlined: its 2 ZIP code areas · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone5b−15 to −10 °F

ZIP codes2

Last frostApr 23

First frostOct 15

Growing season173 days

5b 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

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Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Ankeny, IA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostApril 23median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 6only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 15median — 10% chance by Sep 30

Growing season173 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 13 and returns around October 25.

From the NOAA station Ankeny, IA, elevation 974 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in Ankeny

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Apr 2

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 7 – May 21

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 20 – Sep 3

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 1 – Nov 5

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 23) and first fall frost (Oct 15) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 50023 came on Mar 23 — 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 4).

average
Apr 42026
Mar 23

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 5b in Iowa

473 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Iowa, and rated by the USDA to survive −15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Ankeny, IA.

Soil in Ankeny, IA

The center of ZIP 50023 is mapped as Urban land: built-over ground without natural soil data. Garden soil here is usually imported or disturbed — test before you plant.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 50023; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ankeny, IA

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July

Winter low12 °Faverage low, January

Hot days23days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights150nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,262base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 13 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 09 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation37 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall25 inper year; 52 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Ankeny, IA (within 1 mile); precipitation: Ankeny, IA (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Ankeny

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Questions about Ankeny

What planting zone is Ankeny, IA?

Ankeny, IA is in USDA hardiness zone 5b on the 2023 map (5b: −15 to −10 °F).

When is the last frost in Ankeny, IA?

The median last spring frost is April 23 and the median first fall frost is October 15 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ankeny station).

When can I plant a garden in Ankeny, IA?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Mar 12 – Apr 2; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Apr 30, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Ankeny, IA?

Long-day onions: the longest day is 15 h 13 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

How much rain and snow does Ankeny, IA get?

About 37 inches of precipitation a year and 25 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).