When to plant cauliflower in Iowa

Plant out in Des Moines

Apr 4–Apr 18

Across Iowa the window opens between April 1 and April 15. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

Start indoors, Des Moines: Feb 7–Feb 21
Plant out, Des Moines: Apr 4–Apr 18
Fall planting, Des Moines: Jul 28–Aug 11
Last frost, Des Moines: Apr 18

Start seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before the last frost; plant out up to 2 weeks before the last frost; sow again for fall 10–12 weeks before the first frost. When heads reach the size of an egg, tie the leaves over them to keep them white.

Cauliflower planting dates by city

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Des MoinesApr 4–Apr 18

Cedar RapidsApr 13–Apr 27

DavenportApr 5–Apr 19

Sioux CityApr 15–Apr 29

AnkenyApr 9–Apr 23

Iowa CityApr 7–Apr 21

West Des MoinesApr 4–Apr 18

AmesApr 12–Apr 26

WaterlooApr 13–Apr 27

Council BluffsApr 4–Apr 18

DubuqueApr 5–Apr 19

UrbandaleApr 5–Apr 19

MarionApr 14–Apr 28

Cedar FallsApr 13–Apr 27

BettendorfApr 2–Apr 16

WaukeeApr 4–Apr 18

MarshalltownApr 14–Apr 28

Mason CityApr 15–Apr 29

OttumwaApr 9–Apr 23

JohnstonApr 5–Apr 19

Fort DodgeApr 14–Apr 28

ClintonApr 8–Apr 22

CoralvilleApr 7–Apr 21

BurlingtonApr 1–Apr 15

MuscatineApr 10–Apr 24

AltoonaApr 9–Apr 23

North LibertyApr 7–Apr 21

Questions

When should I plant cauliflower in Iowa?

In Des Moines, plant out from April 4 to April 18. Across Iowa the window opens between April 1 and April 15, depending on the local last frost.

How is this date worked out?

Start seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before the last frost; plant out up to 2 weeks before the last frost; sow again for fall 10–12 weeks before the first frost. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 averages for the weather station nearest each city.

More for Iowa

Cauliflower in other states

Frost dates for every city in Iowa