When to plant cauliflower in Des Moines

Cauliflower 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 5 – Apr 26
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jun 4 – Jun 29
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Jun 20 – Jul 4
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Aug 26 – Sep 20
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 85 d
Des Moines's 179-day season leaves this much room.
Cauliflower 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 cauliflower be ready to harvest in Des Moines?

Expect to harvest from around early June (Jun 4–Jun 29) in Des Moines, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.

When should I start cauliflower 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 cauliflower outdoors in Des Moines?

Transplant outdoors around early April (Apr 5–Apr 26) in Des Moines, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.

Can I plant cauliflower in autumn in Des Moines?

Yes — Des Moines supports a second, autumn sowing of cauliflower around mid June (Jun 20–Jul 4), 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 cauliflower to maturity outdoors.

The rule of thumb

Sow cauliflower 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.