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. |
Fruit | ||||||||||||
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Peaches | ||||||||||||
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Vegetables | ||||||||||||
string beans |
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broccoli |
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brussels sprouts |
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cabbage |
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carrots |
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cauliflower |
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celery |
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chard |
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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 |
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Pressure canners for gas, electric and induction stoves: Presto 23Qt or T-fal 22Qt
Canning scoop (this one is PERFECT)
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