When to plant broccoli in Des Moines

Broccoli is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Des Moines's frost dates of Apr 17.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 6 – Mar 27
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 3 – Apr 24
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jun 2 – Jun 27
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Jul 2 – Jul 16
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Sep 7 – Oct 2
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 85 d
Des Moines's 179-day season leaves this much room.
Broccoli on Des Moines's growing year
Frost-bounded season with crops mapped onto the 12-month axis.
Frost risk Growing Harvest
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
APR 17
OCT 16

Common questions

When will broccoli be ready to harvest in Des Moines?

Expect to harvest from around early June (Jun 2–Jun 27) in Des Moines, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.

When should I start broccoli seeds indoors in Des Moines?

Start seeds indoors around early March (Mar 6–Mar 27) in Des Moines, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.

When can I transplant broccoli outdoors in Des Moines?

Transplant outdoors around early April (Apr 3–Apr 24) in Des Moines, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 89%.

Can I plant broccoli in autumn in Des Moines?

Yes — Des Moines supports a second, autumn sowing of broccoli around early July (Jul 2–Jul 16), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Des Moines?

Des Moines has roughly 179 frost-free days, which is enough time to grow broccoli to maturity outdoors.

The rule of thumb

Sow broccoli as soon as the soil is workable — it tolerates cool weather and light frost. Every date on this page is derived from that rule and Des Moines's frost dates.

Confidence 89/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.