When is the last frost in West Des Moines, IA?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in West Des Moines is around April 18, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Des Moines Intl Ap, IA station (5.1 mi away). Half of years it falls outside that date, so wait 1–2 weeks past it before setting out frost-tender plants.

When is the first fall frost in West Des Moines?

The average first fall frost in West Des Moines, IA is around October 20, giving roughly a 184-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is West Des Moines, IA?

West Des Moines is in USDA plant hardiness zone 5b (average annual extreme minimum temperature -15 to -10°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in West Des Moines?

In West Des Moines, IA the warmest month is July (avg high 85.6°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 13.8°F). It averages about 36.6″ of precipitation a year and 36.5″ of snow.

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West Des Moines, IA Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 5b · ZIP 50265 · elevation 292′ · NOAA & USDA data

West Des Moines is in USDA hardiness zone 5b (winters can dip to -15 to -10°F), with a growing season of about 184 days between the average last spring frost (April 18) and first fall frost (October 20). The warmest month is July (avg high 85.6°F); the coldest is January (avg low 13.8°F). It averages 36.6″ of precipitation a year and 36.5″ of snow, mostly mid-winter. Start cool-season crops several weeks before the last frost; wait until after it for tomatoes, peppers and other tender crops.

Hardiness zone

min temp -15 to -10°F

Last spring frost

April 18

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

October 20

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

184 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 85.6°F

Month-by-month typical weather in West Des Moines

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Des Moines Intl Ap, IA (5.1 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	30.9	13.8	22.3	1.1	9.4
February	35.7	18	26.9	1.3	10.2
March	49.2	29.6	39.4	2.2	4.4
April	62	40.6	51.3	4	1.2
May	72.4	52.3	62.4	5.2	0.2
June	81.9	62.4	72.2	5.3	0
July	85.6	66.4	76	3.8	0
August	83.6	64.2	73.9	4.2	0
September	76.9	55.4	66.2	3.2	0
October	63.4	42.9	53.2	2.8	0.5
November	48.3	30.2	39.3	1.9	2.7
December	35.9	19.5	27.7	1.6	7.9

What to plant when in West Des Moines

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: March 7 · Transplant out: April 25
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 21 · Transplant out: May 2
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: April 25
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: April 25
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: April 25
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: April 25
Basil	warm	Transplant out: April 25
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): March 14 · Sow (fall): August 25
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): March 7 · Sow (fall): August 25
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): March 21 · Sow (fall): August 25
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): March 28 · Sow (fall): August 11
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): April 4
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): March 28 · Sow (fall): August 11
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): March 21
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: April 4
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): March 21 · Sow (fall): September 8

Dates are computed from West Des Moines's average frost dates using standard cool-/warm-season timing. They're a starting point — a cold spring, a warm microclimate, or a fast-maturing variety can shift them by a week or two.

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Gear that helps you plant on time

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links (tag theboringthin-20). If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps this almanac free. We only list generic, genuinely-useful categories.

Soil thermometer →Know when the ground is warm enough to sow — the honest signal, not the calendar.Seed-starting trays + dome →Start tomatoes & peppers indoors on the schedule below.Seedling heat mat →Warms the soil for faster, more even germination indoors.Floating row cover / frost cloth →Buys you 4–8°F to beat an early or late frost.Raised garden bed kit →Warms and drains faster in spring than in-ground soil.Garden gloves →Basic kit for transplant day.

Nearby cities in Iowa

Urbandale, IA Des Moines, IA Ankeny, IA Ames, IA Waterloo, IA Cedar Falls, IA Cedar Rapids, IA Council Bluffs, IA

Sources & method. Hardiness zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). Frost dates & growing season: NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest station with published freeze normals — Des Moines Intl Ap, IA, 5.1 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Des Moines Intl Ap, IA, 5.1 mi (confidence: high). ZIP centroid from U.S. Census 2023 ZCTA data. Frost dates are the 50%-probability date — half of years frost occurs outside the stated date. Nothing here is invented; where the nearest station is far, we say so. Last updated 2026-07-22.