Planting calendar for Des Moines, Iowa

Dates from 30 years of records at the Des Moines Intl Airport weather station, 5.1 miles from Des Moines, worked out crop by crop with the same method as the Year Round Garden app.

Des Moines at a glance

Weather station: Des Moines Intl Airport · 5.1 mi
USDA zone: 5b
Last spring frost: typically Apr 18; 1 year in 10 after May 2
First fall frost: typically Oct 20; 1 year in 10 before Oct 4
Frost-free season: about 185 days
Hottest month: July: highs 86°F, nights 66°F
Coldest month: January: highs 31°F, nights 14°F
Rain: 37 in. a year, most in May, June and August

What shapes the seasons here

The last spring frost in Des Moines typically comes around Apr 18, but 1 year in 10 it comes after May 2. The first fall frost typically arrives around Oct 20. That leaves about 185 frost-free days for tender crops like tomatoes, peppers and squash.

Des Moines gets about 37 inches of rain a year, most of it in May, June and August.

158 of the 174 crops in the app grow here; 16 need a different climate (listed near the bottom).

When to plant the most popular crops

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Tomato (slicing)

Tomato (cherry & grape)

Pepper (sweet / bell)

Pepper (hot / chili)

Eggplant

Cucumber (slicing)

Summer squash & zucchini

Watermelon

Bean (bush snap)

Sweet corn

Okra

Sweet potato

Potato

Pea (snap & snow)

Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)

Spinach

Kale

Collard greens

Broccoli

Cabbage

Carrot

Radish

Onion (bulbing)

Garlic

Basil

Cilantro

Strawberry

Best Can plant Start indoors

Get these dates as reminders for your exact yard

The free Year Round Garden app uses the weather station nearest your own address, not just the city. It reminds you when to start seeds, plant and harvest, sends frost and storm alerts from the National Weather Service, and keeps a garden journal. No account needed, in English and Spanish.

Download on the App Store Free for up to 5 plants on iPhone and Android.

What to plant in Des Moines, month by month

January0

Too cold to plant outdoors. Plan beds, order seeds and start the ones listed indoors.

Start seeds indoors

Celeriac (celery root), Leek, Onion (bulbing), Parsley, Pansy / viola, Snapdragon

February0

Too cold to plant outdoors. Plan beds, order seeds and start the ones listed indoors.

Start seeds indoors

Artichoke, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cardoon, Cauliflower, Celery, Catnip, Feverfew, Lovage, Parsley, Sage, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Stock

March38

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Collard greens, Fava bean, Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Onion (bulbing), Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radicchio, Radish, Rhubarb, Shallot, Spinach, Turnip

Herbs: Chamomile

Fruit: Blackberry, Blueberry, Grape (bunch), Raspberry, Strawberry

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Larkspur, Pansy / viola, Snapdragon, Sweet pea (flower)

Can also plant

Potato

Start seeds indoors

Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Eggplant, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Catnip, Feverfew, Lavender, Lemon balm, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Winter savory, Ground cherry, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Strawflower

April50

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Artichoke, Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Bok choy / pak choi, Cardoon, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Daikon radish, Fennel (bulb), Garden cress, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Mustard greens, Parsnip, Potato, Radish, Rhubarb, Salsify, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Swiss chard, Watercress

Herbs: Borage, Caraway, Catnip, Dill, Feverfew, Lemon balm, Lovage, Mint, Parsley, Sage, Sorrel (French / garden), Summer savory, Tarragon (French), Winter savory

Fruit: Grape (bunch), Strawberry

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Nasturtium, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Stock, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Cabbage, Collard greens, Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Lettuce (romaine & head), Napa / Chinese cabbage, Onion (bulbing), Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Shallot, Spinach, Turnip, Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Chamomile, Chervil, Chives, Fenugreek (methi), Garlic chives, Oregano, Thyme, Blackberry, Blueberry, Raspberry, Black-eyed Susan, Coreopsis (tickseed), Milkweed (native), Pansy / viola

Start seeds indoors

Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Eggplant, Ginger, Leek, Malabar spinach, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Sweet potato, Tomato (heat-set varieties), Anise hyssop, Basil, Bee balm (bergamot), Chives, Garlic chives, Marjoram, Oregano, Thyme, Winter savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Annual salvia, Celosia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Milkweed (native), Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)

May44

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Edamame, Eggplant, New Zealand spinach, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Pumpkin, Purslane, Salsify, Summer squash & zucchini, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Sweet corn, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Winter melon / wax gourd, Winter squash

Herbs: Basil, Epazote, Lavender, Lemon verbena, Marjoram, Oregano, Papalo, Rosemary, Shiso (perilla), Thyme

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Watermelon

Flowers: Milkweed (native), Nasturtium

Can also plant

Artichoke, Asparagus, Beet, Cardoon, Carrot, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Garden cress, Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leek, Onion (bulbing), Parsnip, Potato, Radish, Rhubarb, Shallot, Swiss chard, Tomato (early / short-season), Turnip, Watercress, Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Borage, Caraway, Catnip, Chamomile, Chives, Cuban oregano, Dill, Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lemon balm, Lovage, Mint, Parsley, Sage, Sorrel (French / garden), Stevia, Summer savory, Tarragon (French), Vietnamese coriander (rau ram), Winter savory, Blackberry, Blueberry, Raspberry, Strawberry, Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Calendula, Cleome (spider flower), Coreopsis (tickseed), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Strawflower, Sunflower, Sweet alyssum, Zinnia

Start seeds indoors

Brussels sprouts, Eggplant, Leek, Malabar spinach, Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Parsley, Annual salvia, Celosia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Milkweed (native), Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Snapdragon, Statice

June59

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Edamame, Eggplant, Ginger, Luffa gourd, Malabar spinach, Moringa, Okinawa spinach, Okra, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Potato, Pumpkin, Salsify, Southern pea / cowpea, Sweet corn, Sweet potato, Tomato (slicing), Winged bean, Winter melon / wax gourd, Winter squash, Yardlong bean

Herbs: Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Chives, Cuban oregano, Culantro, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon verbena, Lemongrass, Marjoram, Oregano, Rosemary, Stevia, Tarragon (French), Thyme, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram), Winter savory

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Watermelon

Flowers: Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Celosia, Cleome (spider flower), Coreopsis (tickseed), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Milkweed (native), Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Purple coneflower (echinacea), Sunflower, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (pole), Beet, Bitter melon, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Kale, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Napa / Chinese cabbage, New Zealand spinach, Parsnip, Popcorn, Purslane, Shallot, Summer squash & zucchini, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Basil, Borage, Caraway, Chamomile, Dill, Epazote, Papalo, Parsley, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Nasturtium, Snapdragon, Statice, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Start seeds indoors

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Lettuce (romaine & head), Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Basil, Pansy / viola, Stock, Strawflower

July59

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Edamame, Eggplant, Fennel (bulb), Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Lettuce (romaine & head), Malabar spinach, Napa / Chinese cabbage, New Zealand spinach, Okra, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (sweet / bell), Purslane, Shallot, Southern pea / cowpea, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Yardlong bean

Herbs: Basil, Borage, Caraway, Cuban oregano, Culantro, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi), Parsley

Flowers: Annual salvia, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Black-eyed Susan, Calendula, California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Nasturtium, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Snapdragon, Statice, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Arugula, Beet, Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Broccoli raab (rapini), Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Mustard greens, Okinawa spinach, Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radish, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Turnip, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Dill, Papalo, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Cleome (spider flower), Stock

Start seeds indoors

Lettuce (romaine & head)

August39

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Arugula, Beet, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Carrot, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Garden cress, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radish, Swiss chard, Turnip

Herbs: Borage, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Dill, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi)

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Nasturtium, Pansy / viola, Stock, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Spinach, Annual salvia

September7

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Garden cress, Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Radish, Spinach

Flowers: Pansy / viola

October2

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Elephant garlic, Garlic

November0

Too cold to plant outdoors. A good month to plan beds and order seeds.

December0

Too cold to plant outdoors. Plan beds, order seeds and start the ones listed indoors.

Start seeds indoors

Pansy / viola

Every crop that grows in Des Moines

158 of 174 crops in the app fit this climate. Dates are for planting outdoors; “Start indoors” is for seeds you grow into transplants.

Vegetables

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Amaranth greens / callaloo	May 15–29, Aug 2–22	May 30–Aug 1	—	Sow seeds
Armenian cucumber	May 1–15, Jul 1–21	May 16–Jun 30	—	Sow seeds
Artichoke	Apr 4–18	Apr 19–May 16	Jan 31–Feb 14	Set out plants
Arugula	Mar 19–Apr 15, Aug 8–Sep 12	Mar 7–18, Apr 16–May 4, Jul 6–Aug 7	—	Sow seeds
Asparagus	Mar 21–Apr 18	Apr 19–May 16	—	Set out plants
Bean (bush snap)	May 1–15, Jul 15–Aug 5	May 16–Jul 14	—	Sow seeds
Bean (dry / shelling)	May 1–15, Jun 10–Jul 1	May 16–Jun 9	—	Sow seeds
Bean (lima)	May 15–29, Jun 16–Jul 6	May 30–Jun 15	—	Sow seeds
Bean (pole)	May 1–15, Jul 5–26	May 16–Jul 4	—	Sow seeds
Beet	Mar 21–Apr 11, Jul 31–Aug 21	Apr 12–Jul 30	—	Sow seeds
Bitter melon	May 1–15, Jul 3–24	May 16–Jul 2	—	Sow seeds
Bok choy / pak choi	Apr 4–11, Jul 19–Aug 14	—	—	Sow seeds
Bottle gourd / cucuzza	May 30–Jun 13	Jun 14–Jul 13	—	Sow seeds
Broccoli	Mar 21–Apr 4, Jul 24–Aug 13	Apr 5–26, Jun 26–Jul 23	Feb 7–21, Jun 12–Jul 2	Set out plants
Broccoli raab (rapini)	Mar 21–Apr 6, Aug 8–31	Apr 7–19, Jul 11–Aug 7	—	Sow seeds
Brussels sprouts	Mar 21–Apr 2, Jul 5–26	May 24–Jul 4	Feb 7–19, May 24–Jun 14	Set out plants
Cabbage	Mar 14–28, Jul 11–Aug 1	Mar 29–May 4, Jun 4–Jul 10	Jan 31–Feb 14, May 30–Jun 20	Set out plants
Cardoon	Apr 18–May 2	May 3–Jun 7	Feb 14–28	Set out plants
Carrot	Mar 28–Apr 18, Jul 21–Aug 11	Apr 19–Jul 20	—	Sow seeds
Cauliflower	Mar 28–Apr 11, Jul 10–30	Apr 12–30, Jul 2–9	Feb 14–28, May 29–Jun 18	Set out plants
Celeriac (celery root)	Apr 5–19, Jun 6–27	Apr 20–Jun 5	Jan 18–Feb 1, Mar 21–Apr 11	Set out plants
Celery	Apr 18–May 2, Jun 2–23	May 3–Jun 1	Jan 31–Feb 14, Mar 17–Apr 7	Set out plants
Chickpea / garbanzo	Apr 5–19	Apr 20–Jun 20	—	Sow seeds
Chinese broccoli (gai lan)	Mar 28–Apr 18, Jul 29–Aug 18	Apr 19–Jul 28	—	Sow seeds
Collard greens	Mar 21–Apr 4, Aug 4–25	Apr 5–Aug 3	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (pickling)	May 1–15, Jul 8–29	May 16–Jul 7	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (slicing)	May 1–15, Jul 6–26	May 16–Jul 5	—	Sow seeds
Daikon radish	Mar 28–Apr 11, Jul 31–Aug 21	Apr 12–23, Jul 16–30	—	Sow seeds
Edamame	May 15–29, Jun 18–Jul 8	May 30–Jun 17	—	Sow seeds
Eggplant	May 15–29, Jun 21–Jul 11	May 30–Jun 20	Mar 13–27, Apr 19–May 9	Set out plants
Elephant garlic	Sep 29–Nov 3	—	—	Sow seeds
Fava bean	Mar 8–14	—	—	Sow seeds
Fennel (bulb)	Apr 4–14, Jul 16–23	—	—	Sow seeds
Garden cress	Apr 4–29, Aug 23–Sep 16	Apr 30–May 19, Jul 23–Aug 22	—	Sow seeds
Garlic	Sep 29–Nov 3	—	—	Sow seeds
Ginger	May 30–Jun 24	—	Apr 11–May 6	Set out plants
Green onion / scallion	Mar 21–Apr 4	Apr 5–May 16	—	Sow seeds
Kale	Mar 7–28, Aug 17–Sep 6	Mar 29–Aug 16	—	Sow seeds
Kohlrabi	Mar 21–Apr 4, Aug 8–28	Apr 5–May 22, Jun 27–Aug 7	—	Sow seeds
Komatsuna (mustard spinach)	Jul 18–Sep 5	Apr 18–May 4, Jun 16–Jul 17	—	Sow seeds
Leek	Mar 21–Apr 4, Jun 25–Jul 16	Apr 5–Jun 24	Jan 17–31, Apr 23–May 14	Set out plants
Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)	Mar 21–Apr 10, Aug 2–Sep 2	Apr 11–27, Jun 27–Aug 1	—	Sow seeds
Lettuce (romaine & head)	Jul 24–Aug 16	Mar 28–Apr 10, Jul 2–23	Jun 19–Jul 12	Set out plants
Luffa gourd	May 30–Jun 9	—	—	Sow seeds
Mache (corn salad)	Mar 21–Apr 2, Aug 18–Sep 14	—	—	Sow seeds
Malabar spinach	May 30–Jun 13, Jun 28–Jul 18	Jun 14–27	Apr 11–25, May 10–30	Set out plants
Moringa	May 30–Jun 13	Jun 14–Jul 9	—	Sow seeds
Mustard greens	Mar 16–Apr 9, Aug 14–Sep 10	Mar 7–15, Apr 10–24, Jul 17–Aug 13	—	Sow seeds
Napa / Chinese cabbage	Jul 10–Aug 11	Apr 4–13, Jun 12–Jul 9	—	Sow seeds
New Zealand spinach	May 1–15, Jul 8–28	May 16–Jul 7	—	Sow seeds
Okinawa spinach	May 30–Jun 13	Jun 14–Jul 25	—	Set out plants
Okra	May 30–Jun 13, Jul 6–24	Jun 14–Jul 5	—	Sow seeds
Onion (bulbing)	Mar 15–Apr 4, May 28–Jul 7	Mar 7–14, Apr 5–May 27	Mar 12–Apr 21, Dec 28–Jan 17	Set out plants
Parsnip	Mar 28–Apr 18	Apr 19–Jul 11	—	Sow seeds
Pea (shelling / English)	Mar 8–22, Jul 29–Aug 18	Mar 23–May 1, Jul 1–28	—	Sow seeds
Pea (snap & snow)	Mar 8–22, Jul 29–Aug 18	Mar 23–Apr 29, Jun 29–Jul 28	—	Sow seeds
Pepper (hot / chili)	May 6–20, Jun 13–Jul 4	May 21–Jun 12	Mar 4–18, Apr 11–May 2	Set out plants
Pepper (sweet / bell)	May 2–16, Jun 23–Jul 14	May 17–Jun 22	Feb 28–Mar 14, Apr 21–May 12	Set out plants
Popcorn	May 1–8	May 9–Jun 18	—	Sow seeds
Potato	Apr 3–16, May 27–Jul 3	Mar 22–Apr 2, Apr 17–May 26	—	Sow seeds
Pumpkin	May 1–15, May 19–Jun 9	—	—	Sow seeds
Purslane	May 15–29, Jul 14–Aug 4	May 30–Jul 13	—	Sow seeds
Radicchio	Mar 21–28	Mar 29–Apr 6	—	Sow seeds
Radish	Mar 22–Apr 25, Aug 25–Sep 24	Mar 14–21, Apr 26–May 17, Jul 21–Aug 24	—	Sow seeds
Rhubarb	Mar 21–Apr 11	Apr 12–May 16	—	Set out plants
Salsify	Mar 28–Apr 18, May 17–Jun 7	Apr 19–May 16	—	Sow seeds
Seminole pumpkin / calabaza	May 30–Jun 6	—	—	Sow seeds
Shallot	Mar 7–21, Jun 30–Jul 21	Mar 22–Jun 29	—	Sow seeds
Southern pea / cowpea	May 30–Jun 13, Jun 18–Jul 9	—	—	Sow seeds
Spinach	Mar 7–Apr 6, Sep 1–19	Apr 7–15, Jul 23–Aug 31	—	Sow seeds
Summer squash & zucchini	May 1–15, Jul 11–31	May 16–Jul 10	—	Sow seeds
Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke)	Apr 18–May 9	Mar 28–Apr 17	—	Sow seeds
Sweet corn	May 1–8, Jun 23–Jul 13	May 9–Jun 22	—	Sow seeds
Sweet potato	May 30–Jun 9	—	Apr 11–21	Set out plants
Swiss chard	Mar 28–Apr 18, Aug 5–26	Apr 19–Aug 4	—	Sow seeds
Tomatillo	May 1–15	May 16–Jul 11	Mar 20–Apr 3	Set out plants
Tomato (cherry & grape)	May 1–15, Jul 8–28	May 16–Jul 7	Mar 13–27, May 20–Jun 9	Set out plants
Tomato (early / short-season)	Apr 25–May 2, Jul 13–Aug 2	May 3–Jul 12	Mar 7–14, May 25–Jun 14	Set out plants
Tomato (heat-set varieties)	May 15–29, Jun 25–Jul 16	May 30–Jun 24	Mar 27–Apr 10, May 7–28	Set out plants
Tomato (paste / determinate)	May 1–15, Jun 25–Jul 16	May 16–Jun 24	Mar 13–27, May 7–28	Set out plants
Tomato (slicing)	May 1–15, Jun 23–Jul 13	May 16–Jun 22	Mar 13–27, May 5–25	Set out plants
Turnip	Mar 21–Apr 4, Aug 10–31	Apr 5–May 22, Jun 27–Aug 9	—	Sow seeds
Watercress	Mar 28–Apr 11	Apr 12–May 23	—	Sow seeds
Winged bean	May 30–Jun 9	—	—	Sow seeds
Winter melon / wax gourd	May 15–Jun 9	—	—	Sow seeds
Winter squash	May 1–15, May 29–Jun 19	May 16–28	—	Sow seeds
Yardlong bean	May 30–Jun 13, Jun 23–Jul 13	Jun 14–22	—	Sow seeds

Herbs

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Anise hyssop	May 27–Jun 13	Apr 18–May 26	Apr 12–29	Set out plants
Basil	May 15–22, Jul 6–26	May 23–Jul 5	Apr 10–17, Jun 1–21	Set out plants
Bee balm (bergamot)	May 27–Jun 13	Apr 18–May 26	Apr 8–25	Set out plants
Borage	Apr 11–May 1, Jul 3–Aug 12	May 2–Jul 2	—	Sow seeds
Caraway	Mar 28–Apr 11, Jul 11–Aug 1	Apr 12–Jul 10	—	Sow seeds
Catnip	Apr 4–25	Apr 26–May 16	Feb 14–Mar 7	Set out plants
Chamomile	Mar 21–Apr 4, Jul 26–Aug 16	Apr 5–Jul 25	—	Sow seeds
Chervil	Aug 10–31	Mar 28–Apr 10, Jul 19–Aug 9	—	Sow seeds
Chives	May 26–Jun 13	Apr 18–May 25	Apr 7–25	Set out plants
Cilantro	Jul 26–Aug 23	Apr 4–12, Jul 4–25	—	Sow seeds
Cuban oregano	Jun 12–Jul 10	May 15–Jun 11	—	Set out plants
Culantro	May 30–Jun 13, Jun 30–Jul 13	Jun 14–29	—	Sow seeds
Dill	Apr 4–11, Jul 27–Aug 17	Apr 12–Jul 26	—	Sow seeds
Epazote	May 1–15, Jul 20–Aug 10	May 16–Jul 19	—	Sow seeds
Fenugreek (methi)	Jul 25–Aug 29	Apr 18–May 8, Jun 26–Jul 24	—	Sow seeds
Feverfew	Apr 11–28	Apr 29–Jun 6	Feb 21–Mar 10	Set out plants
Garlic chives	May 26–Jun 13	Apr 18–May 25	Apr 7–25	Set out plants
Lavender	May 20–Jun 13	Apr 25–May 19	Mar 4–28	Set out plants
Lemon balm	Apr 4–25	Apr 26–May 16	Feb 28–Mar 21	Set out plants
Lemon verbena	May 20–Jun 13	Apr 25–May 19	—	Set out plants
Lemongrass	Jun 10–23	May 30–Jun 9, Jun 24–26	—	Set out plants
Lovage	Apr 4–24	Apr 25–May 16	Feb 14–Mar 6	Set out plants
Marjoram	May 20–Jun 13	Apr 25–May 19	Apr 1–25	Set out plants
Mint	Apr 4–25	Apr 26–May 16	—	Set out plants
Oregano	May 24–Jun 13	Apr 18–May 23	Apr 5–25	Set out plants
Papalo	May 15–29	May 30–Jul 16	—	Sow seeds
Parsley	Mar 28–Apr 11, Jul 11–Aug 1	Apr 12–Jul 10	Jan 24–Feb 7, May 9–30	Set out plants
Rosemary	May 20–Jun 13	Apr 25–May 19	Mar 4–28	Set out plants
Sage	Apr 11–27	Apr 28–Jun 6	Feb 21–Mar 9	Set out plants
Shiso (perilla)	May 1–8	May 9–Jul 23	Mar 27–Apr 3	Set out plants
Sorrel (French / garden)	Mar 28–Apr 25	Apr 26–May 23	—	Sow seeds
Stevia	Jun 2–25	May 15–Jun 1, Jun 26–Jul 1	—	Set out plants
Summer savory	Apr 18–May 2	May 3–Jul 26	—	Sow seeds
Tarragon (French)	Apr 18–May 2, May 31–Jun 13	May 3–30	—	Set out plants
Thyme	May 20–Jun 13	Apr 18–May 19	Mar 25–Apr 18	Set out plants
Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)	May 29–Jun 26	May 1–28	—	Set out plants
Winter savory	Apr 18–May 2, May 31–Jun 13	May 3–30	Feb 28–Mar 14, Apr 12–25	Set out plants

Fruit

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Blackberry	Mar 14–Apr 4	Apr 5–May 16	—	Set out plants
Blueberry	Mar 13–28	Mar 29–May 29	—	Set out plants
Cantaloupe & melons	May 15–29, Jun 11–Jul 1	May 30–Jun 10	—	Sow seeds
Cucamelon / mouse melon	May 1–15	May 16–Jul 16	Mar 27–Apr 10	Set out plants
Grape (bunch)	Mar 21–Apr 18	Apr 19–May 2	—	Set out plants
Ground cherry	May 1–15	May 16–Jul 21	Mar 13–27	Set out plants
Raspberry	Mar 21–Apr 4	Apr 5–May 16	—	Set out plants
Strawberry	Mar 21–Apr 18	Apr 19–May 16	—	Set out plants
Watermelon	May 15–29, Jun 8–29	May 30–Jun 7	—	Sow seeds

Flowers

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Annual salvia	Jun 5–Jul 25	May 1–Jun 4, Jul 26–Aug 10	Mar 27–May 16	Set out plants
Bachelor's button (cornflower)	Mar 21–Apr 12, Jul 23–Aug 13	Apr 13–24, Jun 21–Jul 22	—	Sow seeds
Black-eyed Susan	May 31–Jul 13	Apr 18–May 30	—	Sow seeds
Calendula	Apr 4–27, Jul 10–Aug 28	Apr 28–Jul 9	—	Sow seeds
California poppy	Mar 21–Apr 12, Jul 23–Aug 13	Apr 13–24, Jun 21–Jul 22	—	Sow seeds
Celosia	May 30–Jun 6, Jun 13–Jul 4	—	Apr 11–18, Apr 25–May 16	Set out plants
Cleome (spider flower)	May 31–Jul 5	May 1–30, Jul 6–11	—	Sow seeds
Coreopsis (tickseed)	Mar 21–Apr 4, Jun 6–Jul 22	Apr 5–Jun 5	—	Sow seeds
Cosmos	Jun 6–Jul 9	May 15–Jun 5, Jul 10–21	—	Sow seeds
Globe amaranth (gomphrena)	Jun 6–Jul 9	May 15–Jun 5, Jul 10–21	Apr 18–May 21	Set out plants
Larkspur	Mar 7–28	—	—	Sow seeds
Marigold	Jun 4–Jul 22	May 1–Jun 3, Jul 23–Aug 5	Apr 16–Jun 3	Set out plants
Milkweed (native)	May 25–Jun 13	Apr 18–May 24	Apr 20–May 9	Set out plants
Nasturtium	Apr 24–May 9, Jun 30–Aug 10	Apr 18–23, May 10–Jun 29	—	Sow seeds
Pansy / viola	Mar 7–28, Aug 23–Sep 12	Mar 29–Apr 27, Aug 8–22	Jun 7–27, Dec 20–Jan 10	Set out plants
Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)	Jun 21–Jul 26	May 30–Jun 20, Jul 27–Aug 9	Apr 19–May 24	Set out plants
Purple coneflower (echinacea)	Apr 18–May 2, May 31–Jun 13	May 3–30	Jan 31–Feb 14, Mar 15–28	Set out plants
Snapdragon	Mar 21–28, Jul 1–3, Jul 16–22	Jun 12–30	Jan 17–24, Apr 29–May 1, May 14–20	Set out plants
Statice	Apr 18–May 2, Jul 12–Aug 2	May 3–Jul 11	Feb 14–28, May 10–31	Set out plants
Stock	Apr 4–18, Aug 10–31	Apr 19–28, Jul 19–Aug 9	Jan 31–Feb 14, Jun 8–29	Set out plants
Strawflower	Apr 18–May 2, Jul 20–Aug 9	May 3–Jul 19	Feb 28–Mar 14, Jun 1–21	Set out plants
Sunflower	Jun 2–Jul 5	May 1–Jun 1, Jul 6	—	Sow seeds
Sweet alyssum	Mar 28–Apr 26, Jul 14–Aug 30	Apr 27–Jul 13	—	Sow seeds
Sweet pea (flower)	Mar 8–Apr 4	—	—	Sow seeds
Zinnia	Jun 7–Jul 11	May 15–Jun 6, Jul 12–23	—	Sow seeds

Crops that struggle in Des Moines

These need a climate Des Moines doesn't have. Pots, shade cloth or a greenhouse can stretch the rules.

Banana: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 14°F.
Bay laurel: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 32°F; the coldest month here averages 14°F.
Cassava (yuca): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 14°F.
Chaya (tree spinach): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 14°F.
Endive & escarole: The frost-free season (about 185 days) is shorter than the 85 days it needs.
Fig: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 22°F; the coldest month here averages 14°F.
Jicama: The frost-free season (about 185 days) is shorter than the 180 days it needs.
Muscadine grape: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 26°F; the coldest month here averages 14°F.
Papaya: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 48°F; the coldest month here averages 14°F.
Passion fruit: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 44°F; the coldest month here averages 14°F.
Peanut: The frost-free season (about 185 days) is shorter than the 130 days it needs.
Pigeon pea: The frost-free season (about 185 days) is shorter than the 150 days it needs.
Pineapple: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 14°F.
Roselle: The frost-free season (about 185 days) is shorter than the 165 days it needs.
Rutabaga: The frost-free season (about 185 days) is shorter than the 95 days it needs.
Taro (dasheen): The frost-free season (about 185 days) is shorter than the 225 days it needs.

Nearby planting calendars

Omaha, NE 123 mi · last frost around Apr 18
Kansas City, MO 180 mi · last frost around Apr 4
Sioux Falls, SD 207 mi · last frost around May 1
Minneapolis, MN 234 mi · last frost around Apr 23
Chicago, IL 308 mi · last frost around Apr 10
All Iowa cities

How these dates are worked out

Each crop has temperature limits and timing from university extension guides: how cold a night it can take, how much heat it can stand, how long it takes to mature, and how far before or after the last frost it goes in. Those are checked day by day against the Des Moines Intl Airport station's NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals (average highs, lows, rain and frost dates). Dates are estimates for a typical year; a sheltered yard, a slope or a cold pocket can shift them by a week or two.

Weather: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals. Crop timing: university extension guides (sources listed for each crop in the app). City locations: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0).