When to plant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) in Des Moines

Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) is frost-tender, so every date keys off Des Moines's last spring frost of Apr 17.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Apr 10 – May 1
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Jun 16 – Jul 7
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Aug 30 – Sep 24
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
75 – 100 d
Des Moines's 179-day season leaves this much room.
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) 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 can I sow melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) outdoors in Des Moines?

Direct-sow around mid June (Jun 16–Jul 7) in Des Moines, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.

When will melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) be ready to harvest in Des Moines?

Expect to harvest from around late August (Aug 30–Sep 24) in Des Moines, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.

When should I start melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) seeds indoors in Des Moines?

Start seeds indoors around early April (Apr 10–May 1) in Des Moines, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.

When can I transplant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) outdoors in Des Moines?

Transplant outdoors around mid June (Jun 16–Jul 7) in Des Moines, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.

How long is the growing season in Des Moines?

Des Moines has roughly 179 frost-free days, which is enough time to grow melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) to maturity outdoors.

The rule of thumb

Sow melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) 6–8 weeks before your last spring frost; plant out 2–3 weeks after it. 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.