When to Plant Poblano Pepper in Des Moines, Iowa (50310)

Location

Des Moines, Iowa

ZIP Code

50310

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Saturday, April 25, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Start Seeds Indoors

Saturday, February 14, 2026

Transplant Outdoors

Saturday, May 9, 2026

Based on last frost Saturday, April 25, 2026 · Zone 5b

Pro tip: Start Poblano Pepper seeds indoors 10 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant outdoors around Saturday, May 9, 2026.

Add to Calendar (.ics)

🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Capsicum annuum

Days to Maturity 80 days

Mature Height 24-36"

Spread 18"

Type Bush

Fruit Size Medium (3-4 inches)

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun (6-8 hours)

💧

Water

Regular (1 inch/week)

↔️

Spacing

18" apart

🌱

Planting Depth

0.25" deep

Seeds typically germinate in 8-14 days

Ready to Plant Poblano Pepper in Des Moines?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Saturday, February 14, 2026.

🛒 Buy on Amazon 🌿 True Leaf Market

* Affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

🤝 Good Companions

BasilCarrotTomatoOnion

⚠️ Avoid Planting Near

Fennel

🤝

Full Companion Planting Guide for Poblano Pepper

See which plants help Poblano Pepper thrive, which to keep away, and raised bed layout tips →

🛠️ Supplies You'll Need

🌱 Seed Starting Trays 🪴 Seed Starting Mix 💡 Grow Lights 🌡️ Heat Mat 🪵 Raised Garden Bed 🌍 Vegetable Garden Soil 🛠️ Hand Trowel Set 🚿 Watering Can

* Affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

🌾 Seed Saving Guide

🟡 Moderate

✅ Open-pollinated — seeds grow true to parent

When to Harvest Seed

Let peppers ripen fully to red (or dark red) on the plant.

Processing

Remove seeds from ripe pepper, dry flat for 1–2 weeks before storing.

Seed Viability

Up to 2 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.

Pro Tip

Poblano (C. annuum) crosses with jalapeño, bell pepper, and cayenne. Grow one variety at a time or isolate.

🪴

Raised Bed Planting Guides

A 4×8 bed fits 14 plants of Poblano Pepper. See plant counts, spacing grids, and companion pairings for every bed size →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Poblano Pepper in Des Moines, Iowa? +

In Des Moines (Zone 5b), start Poblano Pepper seeds indoors around Saturday, February 14, 2026 and transplant outdoors around Saturday, May 9, 2026.

What is the last frost date for Des Moines, Iowa? +

The average last spring frost date for Des Moines, Iowa (ZIP 50310) is around Saturday, April 25, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 5b.

How long does Poblano Pepper take to grow? +

Poblano Pepper typically matures in about 80 days from transplanting. In Des Moines, that means you can expect harvest around Saturday, May 9, 2026 plus 80 days.

Should I start Poblano Pepper indoors or direct sow in Iowa? +

Poblano Pepper should be started indoors 10 weeks before your last frost date. In Des Moines, that means starting around Saturday, February 14, 2026.

📚 More Poblano Pepper Planting Guides

🗺️

Poblano Pepper in Iowa

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 5b Poblano Pepper Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

→

Other Plants for Des Moines

Blackberry Blueberry Raspberry Strawberry Basil Chamomile Chives Cilantro Dill Lavender Lemon Balm Marjoram Mint Oregano Parsley Rosemary Sage Tarragon Thyme Acorn Squash Artichoke Arugula Asparagus Beefsteak Tomato Beet Bell Pepper Bok Choy Broccoli Brussels Sprout Butternut Squash Cabbage Cantaloupe Carrot Cauliflower Cayenne Pepper Celery Cherry Tomato Chili Pepper Collard Green Common Bean Cucumber Eggplant Endive Fennel Garlic Grape Tomato Green Bean Habanero Pepper Head Lettuce Heirloom Tomato Honeydew Melon Jalapeño Pepper Kale Kohlrabi Leaf Lettuce Leek Lima Bean Mustard Okra Onion Parsnip Pea Pole Pea Potato Pumpkin Radicchio Radish Rhubarb Roma Tomato Rutabaga Serrano Pepper Shallot Snap Pea Snow Pea Spaghetti Squash Spinach Squash Sweet Corn Sweet Potato Swiss Chard Tomato Turnip Watermelon Zucchini Sunflower Marigold Zinnia Nasturtium Cosmos Echinacea (Coneflower) Petunia Black-eyed Susan Apple Tree Pear Tree Peach Tree Plum Tree Sweet Cherry Tree Lemon Tree Borage Lemongrass Ginger Stevia Tomatillo Edamame Fava Bean Mâche Mizuna Sorrel Shishito Pepper Banana Pepper Watermelon Radish Napa Cabbage Popcorn Broccoli Raab Catnip Valerian Lemon Verbena Bee Balm Anise Lovage Chervil Summer Savory Dahlia Snapdragon Pansy Sweet Pea Morning Glory Hollyhock Larkspur Bachelor Button Columbine Impatiens Salvia (Annual) Sweet Alyssum Celosia Lupine Verbena Elderberry Grape Vine Red Currant Gooseberry Serviceberry Fig Tree Avocado Tree Persimmon Tree Olive Tree

Growing Poblano Pepper in Zone 5b

Poblano Pepper (Capsicum annuum) is a popular garden vegetable. In Des Moines, Iowa, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b, you should start seeds indoors around Saturday, February 14, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Saturday, April 25, 2026. Plan to transplant your Poblano Pepper seedlings outdoors around Saturday, May 9, 2026, about 2 weeks after your last frost date.