When to plant cucumbers in Iowa

Cucumbers
Plant out in Des Moines
May 2–May 9

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 9
Sow outdoors, Des Moines
Apr 25–May 9
Last sowing for a harvest
Jul 28
Last frost, Des Moines
Apr 18

Start seeds indoors 3–4 weeks before the last frost; plant out 2–3 weeks after the last frost; sow outdoors 1–3 weeks after the last frost. Cucumbers rot in cold soil. Sow when the soil is at least 65°F.

Cucumbers planting dates by city

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Des MoinesMay 2–May 9
Cedar RapidsMay 11–May 18
DavenportMay 3–May 10
Sioux CityMay 13–May 20
AnkenyMay 7–May 14
Iowa CityMay 5–May 12
West Des MoinesMay 2–May 9
AmesMay 10–May 17
WaterlooMay 11–May 18
Council BluffsMay 2–May 9
DubuqueMay 3–May 10
UrbandaleMay 3–May 10
MarionMay 12–May 19
Cedar FallsMay 11–May 18
BettendorfApr 30–May 7
WaukeeMay 2–May 9
MarshalltownMay 12–May 19
Mason CityMay 13–May 20
OttumwaMay 7–May 14
JohnstonMay 3–May 10
Fort DodgeMay 12–May 19
ClintonMay 6–May 13
CoralvilleMay 5–May 12
BurlingtonApr 29–May 6
MuscatineMay 8–May 15
AltoonaMay 7–May 14
North LibertyMay 5–May 12

Questions

When should I plant cucumbers in Iowa?

In Des Moines, plant out from May 2 to May 9. 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 2–3 weeks after the last frost; sow outdoors 1–3 weeks after the last frost. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 averages for the weather station nearest each city.

More for Iowa

Cucumbers in other states

Frost dates for every city in Iowa