This page has a table below that tells when each fruit or vegetable is normally ready to be harvested Iowa! We also have a page with links to our own simple instructions on canning, freezing and drying many fruits and vegetables, such as how to make jam, apple butter, applesauce, spaghetti sauce, salsa, pickles, ketchup or freezing corn.
Please note that actual dates may vary by as much as two weeks due to weather conditions, geographical location of the farm, and other factors. It is always advisable to call a farm earlier than the expected beginning of a season to verify on the status of the product you are interested in.
Crop |
Jan. | Feb. | March | April |
May |
June |
July |
Aug |
Sept |
Oct |
Nov. | Dec. |
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string beans |
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broccoli |
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cabbage |
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carrots |
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cauliflower |
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celery |
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chinese cabbage |
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collards |
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corn |
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cucumber |
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eggplant |
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garlic |
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head lettuce |
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lettuce mix |
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kale |
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hot peppers |
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kohlrabi |
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leeks |
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melons |
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onions |
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pearl onions |
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ornamental corn |
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pumpkins |
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parsnips |
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peppers |
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potatoes |
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snow peas |
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shell peas |
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snap peas |
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spinach |
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summer squash |
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sunflowers |
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tomatillas |
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tomatoes |
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turnips |
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oriental greens |
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bunching greens |
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winter squash |
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Most Popular Crops(in chronological order of ripening) |
Strawberries | June |
early Raspberries | late June through mid July |
Cherries | early July |
Tomatoes | July to Frost |
Corn, Green beans | July and Aug |
Gooseberries | July |
Raspberries | July |
Blueberries | July |
Cantaloupe | July, August |
Apples | July to Oct |
Watermelon | Mid July to mid Sept |
Peaches | July and August |
Blackberries, Grapes | mid August to mid Sept |
Red Raspberries (fall) | mid-August to Frost |
Squash | Late August to Nov |
Red Bartlett Pears | September |
Pumpkins | mid September through October |
Water bath canner with a jar rack
Pressure canners for gas, electric and induction stoves: Presto 23Qt or T-fal 22Qt
Canning scoop (this one is PERFECT)
Ball Blue book (most recent version)
Jars: 8oz canning jars for jams
Farm markets and roadside stands
Road trips and camping resources
Local Honey, apiaries, beekeepers
Consumer fraud and scams information
Home canning supplies at the best prices on the internet!
Maple Syrup Farms, sugarworks, maple syrup festivals
Environmental information and resources
Farms For Your Event for birthday parties, weddings, receptions, business meetings, retreats, etc.
Festivals - local fruit and vegetable festivals
Get the
most recent version of
the Ball Blue Book
With this Presto 23 quart pressure canner and pressure cooker, you can "can" everything, fruits, vegetables, jams, jellies, salsa, applesauce, pickles, even meats, soups, stews. Model 01781
You can make jams, jellies, can fruit, applesauce, salsa and pickles with water bath canners, like this Granite Ware 12-Piece Canner Kit, Jar Rack, Blancher, Colander and 5 piece Canning Tool Set