When to plant Watermelon and cantaloupe in Iowa
In spring, from Apr 20 – June 1 in Burlington to May 15 – June 15 in Waverly.
In fall, from May 15 – June 1 in Le Mars to June 15 – July 20 in West Des Moines.
Cantaloupe (muskmelon) dates are the same as watermelon except where the table notes them.
USDA's earliest safe spring and latest safe fall planting dates, matched to each place's average frost dates.
| Place | Spring | Fall |
|---|---|---|
| Altoona | May 1 – June 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Ames | May 15 – June 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Ankeny | May 1 – June 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Bettendorf | May 1 – June 15 | June 15 – July 20 |
| Boone | May 15 – June 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Burlington | Apr 20 – June 1 | June 15 – July 20 |
| Carroll | May 15 – June 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Cedar Falls | May 15 – June 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Cedar Rapids | May 15 – June 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Clinton | May 1 – June 15 | June 15 – July 20 |
| Clive | May 1 – June 15 | June 15 – July 20 |
| Coralville | May 1 – June 15 | June 15 – July 20 |
| Council Bluffs | May 1 – June 15 | June 15 – July 20 |
| Davenport | May 1 – June 15 | June 15 – July 20 |
| Des Moines | May 1 – June 15 | June 15 – July 20 |
| Dubuque | May 1 – June 15 | June 15 – July 20 |
| Fort Dodge | May 15 – June 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Grimes | May 1 – June 15 | June 15 – July 20 |
| Indianola | May 1 – June 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Iowa City | May 1 – June 15 | June 15 – July 20 |
| Johnston | May 1 – June 15 | June 15 – July 20 |
| Le Mars | May 15 – June 15 | May 15 – June 1 |
| Marion | May 15 – June 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Marshalltown | May 15 – June 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Mason City | May 15 – June 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Muscatine | May 1 – June 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Newton | May 1 – June 15 | June 15 – July 20 |
| North Liberty | May 1 – June 15 | June 15 – July 20 |
| Norwalk | May 1 – June 15 | June 15 – July 20 |
| Oskaloosa | May 1 – June 15 | June 15 – July 20 |
| Ottumwa | May 1 – June 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Pella | May 1 – June 15 | June 15 – July 20 |
| Pleasant Hill | May 1 – June 15 | June 15 – July 20 |
| Sioux City | May 15 – June 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Spencer | May 15 – June 15 | May 15 – June 1 |
| Storm Lake | May 1 – June 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Urbandale | May 1 – June 15 | June 15 – July 20 |
| Waterloo | May 15 – June 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Waukee | May 1 – June 15 | June 15 – July 20 |
| Waverly | May 15 – June 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| West Des Moines | May 1 – June 15 | June 15 – July 20 |
Planting dates: USDA Home and Garden Bulletin No. 9 (1967), tables 4 and 5. Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020. The full USDA table for watermelon.