When to plant butternut squash in Iowa

Sow outdoors in Des Moines

Apr 25–May 9

Across Iowa the window opens between April 22 and May 6. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

Sow outdoors 1–3 weeks after the last frost. Leave fruit on the vine until the skin is hard and the stem starts to dry.

Butternut squash planting dates by city

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Des MoinesApr 25–May 9

Cedar RapidsMay 4–May 18

DavenportApr 26–May 10

Sioux CityMay 6–May 20

AnkenyApr 30–May 14

Iowa CityApr 28–May 12

AmesMay 3–May 17

WaterlooMay 4–May 18

DubuqueApr 26–May 10

UrbandaleApr 26–May 10

MarionMay 5–May 19

Cedar FallsMay 4–May 18

BettendorfApr 23–May 7

WaukeeApr 25–May 9

MarshalltownMay 5–May 19

Mason CityMay 6–May 20

OttumwaApr 30–May 14

JohnstonApr 26–May 10

Fort DodgeMay 5–May 19

ClintonApr 29–May 13

CoralvilleApr 28–May 12

BurlingtonApr 22–May 6

MuscatineMay 1–May 15

AltoonaApr 30–May 14

North LibertyApr 28–May 12

When should I plant butternut squash in Iowa?

In Des Moines, sow outdoors from April 25 to May 9. Across Iowa the window opens between April 22 and May 6, depending on the local last frost.

How is this date worked out?

Sow outdoors 1–3 weeks after the last frost. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 averages for the weather station nearest each city.