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SowingDates

When to plant cantaloupe

Vegetable, tender

Start indoors 4 weeks or fewer before the last frost (Clemson also lists 3–5 weeks from seed to a careful transplant) and direct-sow 1–2 weeks after frost. Soil should be at least 60°F; Wisconsin's planting minimum is 68°F. Melons need about 75–95 days.

The general rule

Start indoors
3–4 weeks before the last spring frost
Sow outdoors
1–2 weeks after the last spring frost
Plant when soil reaches
68°F
Days to maturity
75–95 days

What that means in different climates

The same rule applied to the safer frost dates of cities from cold to frost-free.

Cantaloupe planting dates in example cities
CityLast frost · saferStart indoorsSow outdoors
San Jose, CAJan 23Dec 26 – Jan 2Jan 30 – Feb 6
Tucson, AZMar 2Feb 2 – Feb 9Mar 9 – Mar 16
Portland, ORMar 21Feb 21 – Feb 28Mar 28 – Apr 4
Baltimore, MDApr 4Mar 7 – Mar 14Apr 11 – Apr 18
New York, NYApr 12Mar 15 – Mar 22Apr 19 – Apr 26
Nashville, TNApr 16Mar 19 – Mar 26Apr 23 – Apr 30
Louisville, KYApr 23Mar 26 – Apr 2Apr 30 – May 7
Omaha, NEMay 6Apr 8 – Apr 15May 13 – May 20
Colorado Springs, COMay 15Apr 17 – Apr 24May 22 – May 29
Miami, FLFrost rareFrost is rare: late winter to spring; late summer to fall (soil 68°F+).

Sources