When to Plant Popcorn in Forest City, Iowa (50436)

Location

Forest City, Iowa

ZIP Code

50436

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Sunday, May 10, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Direct Sow Outdoors

Sunday, May 24, 2026

Based on last frost Sunday, May 10, 2026 · Zone 5a

Pro tip: Sow Popcorn directly outdoors 2 weeks after your last frost date — it needs warm soil.

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🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Zea mays everta

Days to Maturity 100 days

Mature Height 48-84"

Spread 18"

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun (6-8 hours)

💧

Water

Regular (1-2 inches/week)

↔️

Spacing

12" apart

🌱

Planting Depth

1" deep

Seeds typically germinate in 7-10 days

Ready to Plant Popcorn in Forest City?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Sunday, May 24, 2026.

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🤝 Good Companions

BeanSquashCucumber

⚠️ Avoid Planting Near

TomatoSweet Corn (cross-pollination)

🤝

Full Companion Planting Guide for Popcorn

See which plants help Popcorn thrive, which to keep away, and raised bed layout tips →

🛠️ Supplies You'll Need

🪵 Raised Garden Bed 🌍 Vegetable Garden Soil 🛠️ Hand Trowel Set 🚿 Watering Can

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🌾 Seed Saving Guide

🔴 Difficult

✅ Open-pollinated — seeds grow true to parent

When to Harvest Seed

Let ears dry completely on the stalk past frost. Kernels should be rock-hard before harvesting.

Processing

Husk dried ears, shell kernels, cure 6–8 weeks in a warm, ventilated space before sealing in containers.

Seed Viability

Up to 2 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.

Pro Tip

Wind-pollinated — requires 1000-foot isolation from sweet corn and other corn types. Under-dried popcorn won't pop.

🪴

Raised Bed Planting Guides

A 4×8 bed fits 32 plants of Popcorn. See plant counts, spacing grids, and companion pairings for every bed size →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Popcorn in Forest City, Iowa? +

In Forest City (Zone 5a), direct sow Popcorn outdoors around Sunday, May 24, 2026.

What is the last frost date for Forest City, Iowa? +

The average last spring frost date for Forest City, Iowa (ZIP 50436) is around Sunday, May 10, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 5a.

How long does Popcorn take to grow? +

Popcorn typically matures in about 100 days from direct sowing. In Forest City, that means you can expect harvest around Sunday, May 24, 2026 plus 100 days.

Should I start Popcorn indoors or direct sow in Iowa? +

Popcorn does best when direct sown outdoors. In Forest City, sow directly around Sunday, May 24, 2026.

📚 More Popcorn Planting Guides

🗺️

Popcorn in Iowa

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 5a Popcorn Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

→

Other Plants for Forest City

Blackberry Blueberry Raspberry Strawberry Basil Chamomile Chives Cilantro Dill Lavender Lemon Balm Marjoram Mint Oregano Parsley Rosemary Sage Tarragon Thyme Acorn Squash Artichoke Arugula Asparagus Beefsteak Tomato Beet Bell Pepper Bok Choy Broccoli Brussels Sprout Butternut Squash Cabbage Cantaloupe Carrot Cauliflower Cayenne Pepper Celery Cherry Tomato Chili Pepper Collard Green Common Bean Cucumber Eggplant Endive Fennel Garlic Grape Tomato Green Bean Habanero Pepper Head Lettuce Heirloom Tomato Honeydew Melon Jalapeño Pepper Kale Kohlrabi Leaf Lettuce Leek Lima Bean Mustard Okra Onion Parsnip Pea Poblano Pepper Pole Pea Potato Pumpkin Radicchio Radish Rhubarb Roma Tomato Rutabaga Serrano Pepper Shallot Snap Pea Snow Pea Spaghetti Squash Spinach Squash Sweet Corn Sweet Potato Swiss Chard Tomato Turnip Watermelon Zucchini Sunflower Marigold Zinnia Nasturtium Cosmos Echinacea (Coneflower) Petunia Black-eyed Susan Apple Tree Pear Tree Peach Tree Plum Tree Sweet Cherry Tree Lemon Tree Borage Lemongrass Ginger Stevia Tomatillo Edamame Fava Bean Mâche Mizuna Sorrel Shishito Pepper Banana Pepper Watermelon Radish Napa Cabbage Broccoli Raab Catnip Valerian Lemon Verbena Bee Balm Anise Lovage Chervil Summer Savory Dahlia Snapdragon Pansy Sweet Pea Morning Glory Hollyhock Larkspur Bachelor Button Columbine Impatiens Salvia (Annual) Sweet Alyssum Celosia Lupine Verbena Elderberry Grape Vine Red Currant Gooseberry Serviceberry Fig Tree Avocado Tree Persimmon Tree Olive Tree

Growing Popcorn in Zone 5a

Popcorn (Zea mays everta) is a popular garden vegetable. In Forest City, Iowa, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a, you should direct sow seeds around Sunday, May 24, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Sunday, May 10, 2026. Popcorn grows well when direct sown, as it doesn't transplant well or germinates quickly outdoors.