Cantaloupe and other melons go outside about two weeks after your last spring frost, once the soil is warm. Find your zone below, or enter your ZIP code for dates based on the weather station closest to you.
Melon dates for your ZIP code
Planting times based on university extension guidance (UNH, Cornell, Purdue, Minnesota, Nebraska and UMass Extension). Frost dates from NOAA 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest weather station. Zones derived from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map data (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). This is not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.
Melon planting dates by zone
| USDA zone | When to plant |
|---|---|
| Zone 3 | June 6 |
| Zone 4 | May 30 |
| Zone 5 | May 22 |
| Zone 6 | May 15 |
| Zone 7 | May 1 |
| Zone 8 | April 14 |
| Zone 9 | March 17 |
Not sure of your zone? Look it up by ZIP code.
Why melons wait for warm weather
Melons are warm-season crops. Frost kills them, and cool soil and weather stall their growth. They go out about two weeks after the last spring frost, once the soil is warm. Starting transplants indoors gives you a head start of up to four weeks.
How to plant melons
- Start seeds indoors about three to four weeks before transplanting, in individual pots.
- Lay black plastic or landscape fabric for larger, earlier harvests.
- Space plants about 2 feet apart in rows 5–6 feet apart, or 2–3 plants per hill.
- Water well during establishment and fruit growth.
- Cut back watering once the fruit begins to ripen.
Harvesting melons
Pick cantaloupe at full slip, when the melon separates from the stem with a gentle push. Most melons ripen 80–100 days after transplanting, and each plant gives about 2–4 fruits.
Frequently asked questions
Can I plant melons before the last frost?
No. Melons are killed by frost and need warm soil. Plant about two weeks after your last frost.
What is the difference between cantaloupe and muskmelon?
In the US, the netted, orange-fleshed melons sold as cantaloupe are muskmelons. True cantaloupes, such as Charentais, are smooth-skinned European melons.
Why are my melons not sweet?
Overwatering as they ripen dilutes the flavor. Cut back water once the fruit starts to ripen, and harvest at full slip.
Sources. Planting dates use the median frost dates of each USDA zone, calculated from NOAA climate data for every ZIP code in the zone.