When to plant cucumber in Iowa
Iowa spans USDA zones 5a–6a, so the right time to plant cucumber shifts by weeks across the state. The window to transplant seedlings outdoors runs from about April 19 in Fort Madison to May 8 in Spencer — below are local dates for 42 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Transplant out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | 5b | April 18 | October 20 | April 25 – May 2 |
| Cedar Rapids | 5b | April 27 | October 11 | May 4 – May 11 |
| Davenport | 5b | April 19 | October 22 | April 26 – May 3 |
| Sioux City | 5a | April 29 | October 7 | May 6 – May 13 |
| Iowa City | 5b | April 21 | October 18 | April 28 – May 5 |
| Ankeny | 5b | April 23 | October 15 | April 30 – May 7 |
| West Des Moines | 5b | April 18 | October 20 | April 25 – May 2 |
| Ames | 5b | April 26 | October 8 | May 3 – May 10 |
Cucumber in Iowa: FAQ
When can I plant cucumber in Iowa?
Across Iowa, the time to transplant cucumber spans roughly April 19 in Fort Madison to May 8 in Spencer, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the cucumber planting date vary across Iowa?
Yes. Iowa publishes 42 cities with their own frost dates, so the right cucumber planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
How long does cucumber take to grow in Iowa?
Cucumber takes about 50–70 days to reach harvest once planted — check that this fits inside your city's frost-free season on its place page.
Never miss a window in your area
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to your frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.