When to plant cantaloupe in Iowa

Plant out in Des Moines

May 2–May 16

Across Iowa the window opens between April 29 and May 13. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

Start indoors, Des Moines: Mar 21–Mar 28
Plant out, Des Moines: May 2–May 16
Sow outdoors, Des Moines: May 2–May 16
Last sowing for a harvest: Jul 8
Last frost, Des Moines: Apr 18

Start seeds indoors 3–4 weeks before the last frost; plant out 2–4 weeks after the last frost; sow outdoors 2–4 weeks after the last frost. A ripe cantaloupe slips off the vine with a light push.

Cantaloupe planting dates by city

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Des MoinesMay 2–May 16

Cedar RapidsMay 11–May 25

DavenportMay 3–May 17

Sioux CityMay 13–May 27

AnkenyMay 7–May 21

Iowa CityMay 5–May 19

West Des MoinesMay 2–May 16

AmesMay 10–May 24

WaterlooMay 11–May 25

Council BluffsMay 2–May 16

DubuqueMay 3–May 17

UrbandaleMay 3–May 17

MarionMay 12–May 26

Cedar FallsMay 11–May 25

BettendorfApr 30–May 14

WaukeeMay 2–May 16

MarshalltownMay 12–May 26

Mason CityMay 13–May 27

OttumwaMay 7–May 21

JohnstonMay 3–May 17

Fort DodgeMay 12–May 26

ClintonMay 6–May 20

CoralvilleMay 5–May 19

BurlingtonApr 29–May 13

MuscatineMay 8–May 22

AltoonaMay 7–May 21

North LibertyMay 5–May 19

Questions

When should I plant cantaloupe in Iowa?

In Des Moines, plant out from May 2 to May 16. Across Iowa the window opens between April 29 and May 13, depending on the local last frost.

How is this date worked out?

Start seeds indoors 3–4 weeks before the last frost; plant out 2–4 weeks after the last frost; sow outdoors 2–4 weeks after the last frost. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 averages for the weather station nearest each city.

More for Iowa

Cantaloupe in other states

Frost dates for every city in Iowa