Cantaloupe Planting Guide
Cantaloupe is a sweet, aromatic melon with salmon-colored flesh and a netted rind. It requires a long, warm growing season and is the quintessential summer fruit.
Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis · Fruit · Cucurbitaceae family · 70–90 days to maturity
Get Your Personalized Cantaloupe Planting Dates
Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.
Where Can You Grow Cantaloupe?
Cantaloupe Growing Regions
Click any state to see the Cantaloupe planting schedule for that location.
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 4a | — | — | Jun 3 | Aug 12 – Sep 16 |
| Zone 4b | — | — | May 29 | Aug 7 – Sep 11 |
| Zone 5a | — | — | May 16 | Jul 25 – Aug 29 |
| Zone 5b | — | — | May 9 | Jul 18 – Aug 22 |
| Zone 6a | — | — | May 1 | Jul 10 – Aug 14 |
| Zone 6b | — | — | Apr 24 | Jul 3 – Aug 7 |
| Zone 7a | — | — | Apr 15 | Jun 24 – Jul 29 |
| Zone 7b | — | — | Apr 8 | Jun 17 – Jul 22 |
| Zone 8a | — | — | Mar 29 | Jun 7 – Jul 12 |
| Zone 8b | — | — | Mar 18 | May 27 – Jul 1 |
| Zone 9a | — | — | Feb 24 | May 5 – Jun 9 |
| Zone 9b | — | — | Feb 8 | Apr 19 – May 24 |
| Zone 10a | — | — | Jan 15 | Mar 26 – Apr 30 |
| Zone 10b | — | — | Jan 15 | Mar 26 – Apr 30 |
| Zone 11a | — | — | Jan 15 | Mar 26 – Apr 30 |
| Zone 11b | — | — | Jan 15 | Mar 26 – Apr 30 |
Why are some columns showing "—"?
Start Indoors shows "—" because Cantaloupe is typically direct sown outdoors rather than started indoors. It germinates quickly and doesn't transplant well.
Direct Sow shows "—" because Cantaloupe benefits from being started indoors first, then transplanted after the last frost.
How to Plant Cantaloupe
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Consistent moisture produces the best results.
🧪 Soil pH
6 – 7
Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.
🗺️ Hardiness Zones
Zone 4a – 11b
📅 Days to Maturity
70–90 days
Medium-season crop. Start early for best results in shorter seasons.
👪 Plant Family
Cucurbitaceae
Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Cucurbitaceae family crops grew last year.
Succession Planting Cantaloupe
Cantaloupe matures in just 70–90 days, making it ideal for succession planting. In a typical 180-day growing season, you can get up to 2 successive plantings by sowing every 8 weeks.
Your actual succession count depends on your local frost dates. Enter your ZIP code to get personalized succession planting dates for your area.
Companion Planting for Cantaloupe
✅ Good Companions
❌ Keep Away From
Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Growing Tips for Cantaloupe
Start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks early or direct sow on warm mounds. Reduce watering as fruits ripen. Harvest when stem slips easily from the fruit with gentle pressure.
Saving Cantaloupe Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Sharp bypass pruners for clean cuts on fruit trees, berry bushes, and woody herbs.
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Level Up Your Garden
Cantaloupe by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Cantaloupe?
Cantaloupe (Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis) takes 70 to 90 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.
What zones can Cantaloupe grow in?
Cantaloupe can be grown in USDA zones 4a through 11b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.
How much sun does Cantaloupe need?
Growing Cantaloupe requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Moderate — regular watering, and soil pH of 6 to 7.