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When to Plant Cantaloupe in Piute County, UT

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.

Piute County, Utah is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is October 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 140 days.

At an elevation of 7,866 feet, Piute County receives approximately 13.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cantaloupe during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Cantaloupe successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Piute County, UT (Zone 5b) Short season
140 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
140 growing days
First Fall Frost October 1

Piute County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (9 days to spare)
Transplant: May 29 🍅 Harvest: Aug 7 – Sep 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (14 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 4 🍅 Harvest: Aug 13 – Sep 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (5 days to spare)
Transplant: Jul 2 🍅 Harvest: Sep 10 – Oct 15

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
0.4″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 890 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Cantaloupe needs ~1,100 GDD — county provides 1,925 GDD Excellent fit

Cantaloupe Planting Timeline โ€” Piute County, UT

Cantaloupe Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 4 Jun 4 โ€“ Jun 18
Harvest August 13 Aug 13 โ€“ Sep 17

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May โ€”
June Transplant Outdoors
July โ€”
August Harvest
September Harvest
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 5b

Growing Season

140 days

Growing Tips for Piute 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 Piute County, UT?

Piute County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Cantaloupe planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Piute County, UT?

Piute County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is October 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Piute County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Piute County, UT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.