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When to Plant Cantaloupe in Hodgeman County, KS

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.

Hodgeman County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 178 days.

At an elevation of 662 feet, Hodgeman County receives approximately 27.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cantaloupe during the growing season.

Hodgeman County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
178 days
Last Spring Frost April 21
178 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

Hodgeman County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (51 days to spare)
Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Aug 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (52 days to spare)
Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Aug 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (54 days to spare)
Transplant: May 25 🍅 Harvest: Aug 3 – Sep 7

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 654 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Cantaloupe needs ~1,460 GDD — county provides 3,248 GDD Excellent fit

Cantaloupe Planting Timeline โ€” Hodgeman County, KS

Cantaloupe Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 12 May 12 โ€“ May 26
Harvest July 21 Jul 21 โ€“ Aug 25

Plant 1" deep ยท 30" apart ยท Rows 42" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Transplant Outdoors
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

70โ€“90 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 6a

Growing Season

178 days

Growing Tips for Hodgeman County

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.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Potatoes

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cantaloupe in Hodgeman County, KS?

Hodgeman County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 21. Plan your Cantaloupe planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hodgeman County, KS?

Hodgeman County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 21 and first fall frost is October 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Hodgeman County gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Hodgeman County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.