What to plant this week in Des Moines, IA
With the last frost in Des Moines officially averaging May 1, gardeners are currently waiting out the cool spring air before committing tender transplants. This week focuses on sowing hardy root crops like Daikon radishes and garlic directly into the soil to take advantage of the cooling temperatures. Harvesting loofah and roselle is also underway for late-season harvests that thrive in our shorter growing season.
The next 7 days
Des Moines, IAGrowing in Des Moines right now
- Our heavy clay soils in Polk County hold moisture well during this dry spell, so avoid overwatering new plantings until rains return.
- The flat terrain of the Iowa River Valley means cold air drainage is minimal; cover sensitive seedlings with frost blankets if temps dip near zero tonight.
- Late-spring droughts are common here; ensure garlic and radishes have a consistent inch of water every few days to prevent bolting before summer heat.
- Apply a layer of organic mulch immediately around transplanted beds to retain soil warmth as we move toward our typical May 1 frost date.
Sow this week
No direct sowing windows open this week.
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
4 crops- Daikon Radish
- Garlic
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus)
Seasonal tips
- Finish sowing cold-hardy greens now to maximize yields before the soil warms up significantly.
- Prepare raised beds by adding compost ahead of time so they are ready for transplanting in June.
- Plan your succession schedule for tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant to ensure a continuous summer harvest.
Pest & disease watch
- Aphids are beginning to colonize emerging broccoli and cabbage plants in community gardens across the metro area.
- Spider mites can cause stippling damage on leafy greens if humidity remains low due to wind off the Des Moines River.
- Monitor garlic cloves for fungal issues as soil moisture fluctuates during our unpredictable spring rain patterns.
Watering this week
Water deeply and consistently now that the ground has thawed, aiming for about 1 inch per week to encourage strong root establishment.
Apply a light layer of mulch around transplants once they are in the ground to retain moisture as the soil temperature fluctuates.
Des Moines gardening questions
3Is it too early to transplant tomatoes in Des Moines this week?
No, wait until after May 1 when the danger of frost passes completely. Transplanting now risks killing your plants with a late freeze, which historically happens frequently in zone 5b before Memorial Day.
Can I plant garlic now, or is it better to wait until fall?
Pull them gently as soon as they reach the desired size for slicing; leaving them in our clay soil too long after the first true leaves emerge makes them tough and fibrous.
What is the best time of year to grow loofah (Luffa) here?
Loofah loves our hot July and August summers but needs a long season; plant seeds in late May or early June so they mature before the first frost on October 15.
Other cities in zone 5b
8See the full zone 5b guide → · Plan your Des Moines garden in SproutGuide →